February: Healthy Heart Month
The month of February has several observances: Black History Month, American Heart Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 and Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. These observances are held to increase our awareness of the contributions of African Americans to our history; educate us on things to do to lower our risk of cancer; remember the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and the medical strides that have been made to enhance and prolong the lives of those at risk and living with the diseases; and to celebrate friendship and romantic love for others.
In the United States, 650,000 persons die as a result of heart disease annually. That is one in four deaths attributed to some form of the disease. It affects all sexes and ethnic groups. Risk factors are age (arteries become weakened, damaged, clogged, narrowed or thickened), sex (men are at greater risk due to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C), smoking, unhealthy food intake, history of high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and high blood cholesterol levels.
When the arteries to the heart become clogged, persons will complain of “feeling tired all the time,” having shortness of breath, feet and ankles will be swollen and their blood pressure may be elevated. Signs of a heart attack are pain in the chest, shoulder, jaw or stomach; irregular heartbeats; shortness of breath; nausea/vomiting and feeling lightheadedness. If experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room immediately. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is begun, the better the outcome.
Preventive measures that can be taken are annual physical exams so that the disease can be recognized early are eating healthy foods and avoiding fried, greasy foods; staying physically active and exercising; getting enough sleep; avoiding stressful situations; and managing weight gain.
During the pandemic, there has been an increase in persons being diagnosed with heart disease. Lifestyles have changed: less active, eating habits, sleeping habits, more time on our phones and social media, stress and anxiety due to illnesses and loss of loved ones and friends to COVID, unemployment, grief and depression, more alcohol intake and substance abuse.
February is a good month to assess your health status, set goals and begin working on reducing risk factors for heart disease. Family history of the disease may not be controllable, but eliminate the risks that you have control of, i.e., sleeping and eating habits, physical exercise, smoking cessation and stress levels.
Enroll in a smoking cessation program. Quitting smoking is not easy. The support of others and a counselor will affect your progression through the program. Attend and join local healthy lifestyle programs that focus on nutritious meals and different types of physical exercises including yoga and meditation. Maintain your spiritual life.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, caregivers should remember that “Love is in the Air” and those they are caring for may want to connect with former “friends.” Assist them in connecting by sending cards, love notes, flowers, candy, making phone calls or by social media.
Rev. Jiles Taylor-George, RN, BSN, MSN is a native of Tallahatchie County. She is a Certified Family Caregiver Support Group Facilitator.
