Take Control of Your Heart: It’s All in the ABCS
Every year,
Americans suffer more than 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes.
Nearly 44% of African American men and 48% of African American women have some
form of cardiovascular disease that includes heart disease and stroke. But you
can reduce your risk and improve your heart health by following the ABCS:
·
A –
Take aspirin as directed by your health care provider.
·
B – Control
your blood pressure.
·
C – Manage
your cholesterol.
·
S –
Don’t smoke.
A: Take aspirin as directed by your health care provider.
Ask your health
care provider if aspirin can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or
stroke. Be sure to tell your health care provider if you have a family medical
history of heart disease or stroke.
B: Control your blood pressure.
Blood pressure
measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. If your
blood pressure stays high, you may suffer from high blood pressure, also called
hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke
more than any other risk factor. African Americans are more likely than any
other racial or ethnic group to have high blood pressure and to develop the
condition earlier in life. To keep your blood pressure under control, find out
what your blood pressure numbers are, and ask your health care provider what
those numbers mean for your health. If you have high blood pressure, work with
your health care provider to lower it.
C: Manage your cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a
waxy substance produced by the liver and is found in certain foods. Your body
needs cholesterol, but when you have too much it can build up in your arteries
and cause heart disease. There are different types of cholesterol. One type is
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol that can protect you from
heart disease. Another type is low-density-lipoprotein (LDL), known as bad
cholesterol that can increase your risk of heart disease. Talk to your health
care provider about cholesterol and how to lower your bad cholesterol if it’s
too high.
S: Don’t smoke.
About 1 of 5
African American adults smokes cigarettes. If you smoke, quit. Talk with your
health care provider about ways to help you stick with your decision. It’s
never too late to quit smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW today or visit smokefree.gov External.
What do I need to know about high blood pressure?
High blood
pressure is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke in the United
States. About 2 out of every 5 African American adults have high blood
pressure, and less than half of them have it under control.
How is blood pressure measured?
Two numbers
(e.g., 140/90) help determine blood pressure. The first number measures
systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart
beats. The second number measures diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in
the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. If the first number is
140 or higher, or the second number is 90 or higher then you have high blood
pressure and should talk to your health care provider.
When and how should I check my blood pressure readings?
Check your blood
pressure readings on a regular basis, even if you feel fine. Generally, people
with high blood pressure have no symptoms. You can check your blood pressure
readings at home, at a pharmacy, and at a doctor’s office.
How can I control my blood pressure?
Make control
your goal! Work with your health care provider to make a plan for controlling
your blood pressure and follow their guidelines, which may include:
·
Eat a healthy diet. Eat more
fruits and vegetables and choose foods low in sodium. African Americans as well
as adults aged 51 years and older and people with high blood pressure,
diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should consume only 1,500 mg of sodium per
day.
·
Get moving. Staying
physically active will help you control your weight and strengthen your heart.
Try walking for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, at least 5 days a week. This will
give you a total of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity.
·
Take your medications. If you
have high blood pressure, your health care provider may give you medicine to
help control it. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when
taking the medication. Tell your health care provider if the medicine makes you
feel bad. Your doctor can talk with you about different ways to reduce side
effects or recommend another medicine that may have fewer side effects.
Your doctor is
not the only health care provider that can help you follow the ABCS.
Nurses,
pharmacists, community health workers, health coaches, and other providers can
work with you and your doctor to help you achieve your health goals. Don’t be
afraid to ask questions like these:
·
What is my risk for heart disease? Should I take an aspirin every
day to reduce my risk?
·
What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me, and what
should I do about it?
·
What kinds of support are available to help me quit smoking?
For more information,
visit the CDC Web sites:
Page last reviewed: July 22, 2014
Content source: National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , Division for Heart
Disease and Stroke Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_aa.htm
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