Improve your health right away!
You have the right to have the opportunity to reach your full health potential. And when your heart is healthy, your overall health is better and you’re more likely to live a longer life.
Pierce County residents have higher rates of heart disease than other areas of Washington state. Also, people with diabetes and high blood pressure are four times more likely to develop heart disease.
Be present for your loved ones.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the amount of sugar in the blood. It can cause nerve damage, skin disease, hearing loss, kidney damage, and many other problems.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a condition in which the force of blood through the blood vessels is consistently high. It can cause health problems such as stroke, vision loss, and heart failure.
Diabetes and high blood pressure can cause heart disease and affect the quality and length of your life. Prevent heart disease and stay close to your loved ones.
How to keep a healthy mind.
Small lifestyle changes can mean big health improvements. To start a healthier lifestyle:
- Know your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure – Ask your family about their health history.
- Get a screening test – make an appointment with your GP.
- Lose excess weight.
- Consume more vegetables, fruits, and water.
- Increase your physical activity, whether alone or with friends.
- Please limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Quit smoking — learn about living without tobacco.
- Reduce stress.
- Get a good night’s sleep for 7 to 9 hours.
Living well doesn’t mean making big, difficult changes. Small steps every day make a big difference.
healthier lifestyle.
Most health insurance plans cover a variety of lifestyle change programs. Call your insurance company and ask about lifestyle programs offered at nearby locations, such as community centers or churches. Many locations offer exercise and diabetes prevention classes.
Certain foods can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Changing your eating habits can be difficult, but there are many easy and delicious recipes. Check out the sites below for delicious and heart-healthy recipes.
How we can help improve heart health.
We work with community organizations to host healthy lifestyle classes. Classes are led by trusted community members, such as health and nutrition experts and local health workers. They include:
- Chronic disease management.
- Self-measurement of blood pressure.
Is your organization interested in starting a community-based diabetes, chronic disease prevention, or blood pressure self-monitoring program? Contact Joanna Wolf at jwolf@tpchd.org.
