PRINT

WiRED International Observes American Heart Month

BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN

F

 

ebruary is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, where about one in four people die from heart disease.

 

Heart disease is one of a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that make up cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the world’s number one killer, responsible for 17.5 million deaths per year, mostly in low-to middle-income countries.

 

WiRED International recently updated its Heart Diseases Module, which presents a comprehensive educational course for general audiences. WiRED’s Health Learning Center contains an entire collection of training materials on cardiology, including modules on stroke, high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a nurse training series on RHD diagnosis and heart sounds in children.

 

Heart disease is preventable, and often reversible. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) urges everyone to lower the risk of heart disease through maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle. That means keeping to a healthy weight, managing stress, being physically active and quitting smoking. Studies have shown that small and realistic changes in lifestyle behaviors can reduce a person’s risk of a CVD and can lead to a healthier lifestyle overall.

 

Make heart health a priority this Valentine’s Day and every day.

 

 

 

 


Maintaining a Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Here are five changes to make:

  1. Schedule a visit with your doctor. Talk with your doctor to identify your risk factors for heart disease and take measures to control them.
  2. Use more herbs and spices to give food good flavor instead of salt. Eat at home more often. You’ll have more control over the ingredients you use, and can cook healthy meals.
  3. Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Eat whole fruits and a variety of vegetables.
  4. Be mindful of portion sizes. If you eat out, share half of your food with a friend or take half home.
  5. Move more. Start an exercise routine with 10 minute walks a couple days a week. Walk during a break. Dance in your living room to your favorite music. Build up to at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days per week.
  6. Know your family history.
  7. Limit alcohol use.

Source: NHLBI and CDC

 

Sample Questions from WiRED’s Heart Diseases Module Quiz

 

1. Rheumatic fever is caused by:

 Unknown causes
 Weak blood pressure
 Inadequate blood volume
 Streptococcal bacteria (as in strep throat)

2. In a heart attack the amount of time that passes without treatment to restore blood:

 Has little impact on heart damage
 Causes greater damage to the heart muscle
 Has no impact on heart damage in young people

3. The purpose of heart valves is to:

 Regulate the heart rhythm
 Make sure the blood flows in the right direction
 Prevent dirt from getting into the blood system
 Slow the movement of blood to prevent overflow

4. Which is the main cause of heart attacks?

 Heart defects at birth
 Blood disorders
 Coronary heart disease
 Rheumatic heart disease

 

 

Donate

Thank you for donating to enable WiRED to continue its cost-free global health education programs.

 

 

^ Back to the Top