How’s your heart? Do you know if you’re at risk for heart disease or stroke? There’s no better time than now — during American Heart Month — to learn how you can stay heart healthy!
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the U.S., and includes heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Fortunately, healthier habits and better management of health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can decrease your risk for CVD.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can control a number of risk factors, including your diet, physical activity, tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Plan for prevention by
- using your health plan benefits and working with your health care team. Get an annual checkup with your primary care doctor to identify and stay on top of conditions that can put you at risk for CVD. If you’re enrolled in the Publix health plan, you can get a free annual physical from a network primary care doctor. And the BCBS PPO Plan offers Chronic Condition Programs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- monitoring your blood pressure. Regularly check your blood pressure and track it over time by visiting the higi station in your Publix Pharmacy.
- eating right. Choose foods high in fiber and low in salt, saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol to help you avoid CVD.
- exercising regularly. Maintain a healthy weight and help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol by engaging in moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week.
- quitting tobacco. Take the step today to quit tobacco and reduce your risk for CVD. The BCBS PPO Plan offers plan members a free tobacco cessation program. To learn more about the benefits of quitting tobacco and free tobacco cessation resources, visit www.publix.org > Health and Well-Being > Free Tobacco Cessation Resources.
