Know What Your Heart Desires

By Casey Sasser, FNP-BC, Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Carthage

The heart is the most important part of your body, it keeps you alive after all, so why not learn more about it? Knowing what your heart needs is an important part of staying healthy and living longer. Since February is Heart Health Month, let’s look at a few facts that may improve your heart health over time.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 2,500 people in the U.S. die each day from some form of heart disease, which is influenced by several risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Poor diet
• Smoking

By prioritizing certain lifestyle changes, the looming death tole caused by heart disease can be lessened. These lifestyle changes could be getting regular physical activity, eating a well-balanced healthy diet, and managing stress levels. Having high blood pressure can be inherited through genetics, caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, not getting enough sleep, and drinking alcohol or smoking. High cholesterol is caused by eating foods high in saturated or trans fat content, so a change in diet may be the wise choice if you are diagnosed with it. Eating healthy is one of the many difficult parts of trying to stay on top of your health. You may notice that healthier food options often come at a higher price, which can make choosing them more challenging. However, next time you're at the grocery store, remember that you’re making an investment in your health—and that’s one of the most valuable investments you can make.

Smoking is a leading cause of many forms of heart disease. Cigarettes were originally prescribed by doctors in the early 1930s into the 1950s for many conditions that their patients were suffering from like hay fever, canker sores, head colds, and even bad breath. Some ads picturing doctors would claim that certain brand name cigarettes would be gentler on the throat. It is almost unbelievable that the medical community would market smoking as a healthy option in your everyday life. Unfortunately, that deceiving marketing tactic caused a lot of individuals to start or keep smoking and become addicted because they were led to believe cigarettes were beneficial to their health.

Excessive alcohol consumption has been shown to raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, while excessive drinking includes binge drinking (four or more drinks in one sitting for women, five or more for men) and heavy drinking (more than seven drinks per week for women, 14 for men). While some studies suggest that moderate consumption may have certain cardiovascular benefits, such as increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol, excessive drinking significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and other health complications. The best approach is to follow recommended guidelines by your cardiologist or primary care provider and prioritize overall heart-healthy habits. While a family history of heart disease can increase your risk, its impact largely depends on your lifestyle choices. Maintaining healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine medical checkups, can help mitigate genetic risk and support long-term heart health.

"Your heart works tirelessly for you every day, so it’s important to give it what it truly needs—care, nourishment, and a healthy lifestyle," says Casey Sasser, FNP-BC, Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Carthage. "By making small changes, like staying active, eating well, managing stress, and keeping up with regular checkups, you can support your heart health and improve your overall well-being."

You only have one body and one heart. Treat them well, and they’ll take care of you in return. Learn more about cardiology services at Highpoint Health by visiting HighpointHealthSystem.com/Cardiac-Care