February is American heart month and I wanted to end it with some critical information regarding your heart health. As a registered nurse practicing for over 10 years I’ve seen my fair share of preventable diseases and how they reek havoc on our bodies. Your heart is a vital organ so it makes sense to shed light on how we can better care for it. There are many factors that contribute to heart disease. The American Heart Association and the CDC are highlighting blood pressure – a leading risk factor.

High Blood Pressure & Your Heart

High blood pressure is when the flow of blood through your vessels is too forceful. It’s known as a silent killer because you may not feel this forceful flow or have symptoms. Black people are much more likely to have this condition compared to other races so it is really important for us to pay attention to it.

This isn’t just for older folk. High blood pressure and heart disease are affecting us at younger ages. 1 in 25 teens ages 12-19 have high blood pressure. You or your loved one could be walking around with it right now and not even know it! This can lead to a sudden heart attack. Knowing your numbers can help you to at least get ahead of the curve.

Prevention is the first step to taking care of your heart. Consuming a balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise is part of preventing disease to your heart. If you’re beyond this, then taking care of your heart is as simple as ABCS. Aspirin. Blood Pressure control. Cholesterol Management. Smoking Cessation. The CDC has many more resources for managing disease.

Get Checked

Keep track of your numbers. These can change over time. Major drugstores like CVS and Walgreens offers free blood pressure checks at the pharmacy counter. Don’t be shy about asking for a check. Encourage your loved ones to do the same. You can always get your own compact, easy to use blood pressure machine that you can use in the privacy of your own home. I have one and I check mine and my whole family’s blood pressure regularly. Here’s a quick guide to understanding your numbers.

Don’t be a heartbreaker! Take charge of you and your family’s heart health today.