GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – February is American Heart Month. Now is the time to encourage people to focus on their cardiovascular health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it is preventable. That’s why doctors want you to pay attention to your heart health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, which affects blood flow to the heart. Reduced blood flow can cause a heart attack.
Symptoms of a heart attack include chest discomfort or pain, upper back or neck pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Risk factors for heart disease include diabetes, being overweight, being active, and drinking too much alcohol.
“There are simple things you can do to impact longevity, like avoiding tobacco and changing your diet and activity,” said Dr. Christopher Dosch, an interventional cardiologist at Bellin Health.
There is also a genetic factor, which can affect even people who appear perfectly healthy.
“There are many diseases that can be inherited in families, but if people don’t know about their lab values, their cholesterol levels, or whether they might have diabetes or prediabetes or high blood pressure, they won’t be discovered until it’s too late. People won’t have symptoms until their organs are damaged. These are silent killers because they don’t produce any,” Dr. Dorsch said.
That’s why doctors recommend scheduling an appointment during this time of heart month. A good place to start is to see your doctor and have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked.
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