Photo By Jason Bortz | Lieutenant Danielle Sterner, dietitian, Naval Hospital Pensacola, prepares hummus and...... read more read more
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Two of the best ways to fight heart disease and maintain a healthy heart is to have a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
Making just a few simple lifestyle changes can have long-term benefits for a person’s health and their heart.
“The basic function of the heart is to pump oxygenated blood through vessels that provide nutrients to our cells,” said Lt. Danielle Sterner, dietitian, Naval Hospital Pensacola. “The heart keeps our brain alive and allows cells to perform their functions.”
According to the Heart Foundation, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. In 2011, nearly 787,000 people died from heart disease, which includes strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. Each year, heart disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined.
Heart disease occurs when coronary arteries are blocked, narrowed or hardened due to plaque buildup, and plaque is the accumulation of fat and cholesterol on the inner wall of an artery. Factors such as age, gender, heredity and race can contribute to heart disease, but are uncontrollable. Excess weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle and smoking are also factors, but can be controlled.
To improve overall health, and specifically a healthy heart, a good and balanced diet is a good place to start. Diets should consist of a variety of foods that are nutrient-rich, meaning foods with minerals, proteins, whole grains and other nutrients. Nutrient-rich foods are also lower in calories, which can help control weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. Examples of good food choices include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains breads or pasta, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry, fish, nuts and legumes.
“A healthy lifestyle change can be achieved with just small changes to your diet,” said Sterner. “Dietitians can work with beneficiaries to show them healthy food options and develop a plan that fits their personal need.”
In addition to incorporating nutrient-rich foods into a daily diet, it is also important to limit foods that are nutrient-poor, or are high in calories but low in nutrients. Limiting saturated and trans fat, sodium, red meat and sweets will compliment a healthy diet and lead to better health. If red meats are consumed, selecting the leanest cut is a heart smart option.
Having an active lifestyle can also reduce the risk of heart disease and improve cholesterol, help with weight management and lower blood pressure. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, cycling, swimming or walking can help lower the chances of developing heart disease.
“Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily can have a significant impact on your overall health and reduce the risk of heart disease,” said Lt. Cmdr. Xin Wei, an internist with NHP’s Internal Medicine.
Even with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, heart disease like heart attacks can occur. If someone is having a heart attack, it is imperative they seek immediate medical attention. Heart attack symptoms can include chest pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythms or loss of consciousness. Symptoms of heart attacks are sometimes confused with other conditions such as heart burn or gas, which can prolong someone seeking medical attention. Anyone who thinks they are having a heart attack or are having heart attack like symptoms should err on the side of caution and call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. Every minute delayed seeking medical attention can result in more damage to the heart or lead to fatality.
“It can very difficult for someone to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack,” Lt. Cmdr. Robert Dendall, a cardiologist at NHP. “If someone is having chest pain or is with someone having chest pain, they should call 911.”
Beneficiaries should speak to their physician about how they can improve the health of their heart. Those enrolled to a Medical Home Port Team have many options available to maintain a heart healthy lifestyle including smoking cessation classes, integrated behavior health consultants and dietitians.
Naval Hospital Pensacola’s Nutrition Management Department is also available to all TRICARE beneficiaries. To schedule an appointment with a dietitian, please speak with your Medical Home Port Team if you are enrolled to one at NHP or call 505-6417.
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.01.2016 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 187558 |
| Location: | PENSACOLA, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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