Photo By Rebecca Westfall | Cardiovascular disease accounted for 840,678 deaths in the U.S. in 2016. That’s...... read more read more
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ARLINGTON, Va. – Red is a bold, rich color that stands out and during the month of February, the annual wear red campaign kicked off to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
U.S. Army Col. Stacey Ferreira, Chief Nurse, Army Recovery Care Program says the Army is taking measures to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by including better food selections in dining halls, implementing smoke-free work areas, promoting alcohol and substance abuse programs, and changing physical fitness training.
“It is alarming to me that our veterans (who spent their career meeting physical training requirements) are heavier than non-veterans, which means veterans have a higher risk of developing heart disease compared to one who has never served in the military.” Ferreira said. “The weight gain Soldiers incur after leaving the military increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and cancer.”
One way the Army has tried to promote a healthy lifestyle is by implementing the Performance Triad, which consists of sleep, physical activity, and nutrition.
“[The Performance Triad] is a way to live healthy and gives us all a great reason to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. You should exercise weekly for 150 minutes and add two, 20-minute strength training sessions during the week,” Ferreira said. “In addition, filling your plate with more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods is more effective. It’s important to explore different types of recipes; cook healthy and enjoy nutritious foods. It’s also important to take time to meditate and relieve your stress level. These simple tips will help add days to your life.”
Ferreira says everyone should be aware of common symptoms, such as chest and radiating left arm pain that could signal possible heart problems in both men and women. She also emphasized there are other atypical signs people need to familiarize themselves with as well.
“Heart problems won’t always reveal themselves through chest pains. You’ve got to pay attention if you have a sudden feeling of fatigue, nausea, or simply do not feel right, these could all be signs of a heart attack,” Ferreira cautioned. “Other accompanied symptoms often include dizziness and shortness of breath. Don’t brush these off! Instead call 911 and seek immediate help.”
While some heart risks are related to poor diet and lack of exercise, Ferreira says other risks may be inherited.
“We need to be aware of our genetic history as well as our behavior. It’s important to know if high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol run in your family. If they do, inform your healthcare provider so they can test earlier for these conditions,” Ferreira said. “You can’t change your genetic makeup, however, you can choose to take daily actions to promote and benefit your health.”
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2020 12:00 |
| Story ID: | 364134 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Heart to Heart, by Annette P. Gomes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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