Have a Heart, Healthy Father's Day!

-

This Sunday is Father’s Day, and June is Men’s Health Month. To celebrate, here are some things to think about for all of the men out there:

Facts
Let’s start with some facts. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. More than half a million people die each year from heart disease. More people than that will be negatively affected by heart disease. Significant disability also can result from heart disease.
There are many risk factors for developing heart disease. Some cannot be changed, such as genetics or family history. Luckily, there are some things that can be changed. Here are some recommendations to prevent heart disease in men:

Blood Pressure
If you are over 18, have your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure puts one at a risk for heart disease and strokes. Thirty percent of men have high blood pressure.
There are a number of ways you can lower your blood pressure, but first, you have to know what your blood pressure is. Blood pressure measurements are almost always taken at a doctor’s office, so you may already have had it checked. Some pharmacies have blood pressure machines available in the store. Alternatively, blood pressure machines can be purchased for the home. These machines are very easy to use.
There are two numbers that are given for a blood pressure reading – a systolic blood pressure and a diastolic blood pressure. The systolic number is usually the number on top (or first) of the diastolic number. The systolic number is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is contracting. The diastolic number is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest. If the systolic number is greater than 120 or if the diastolic number is greater than 80, you should talk to your doctor.

Cholesterol
If you are over the age of 35, you should have your cholesterol levels checked. Some people should have their cholesterol level checked earlier if they are at higher risk of having heart disease. High cholesterol levels can be very dangerous and cause heart disease. Cholesterol levels are checked via a simple blood test. Talk to your primary care provider to see whether you would benefit from early screening. Your provider will refer you to a lab for testing, and then can help you interpret the results and develop a plan about what to do next.

Aspirin
Some men over the age of 45 may benefit from taking an aspirin a day. In certain people, taking an aspirin a day can lower your chances of having a heart attack. Taking a new medication is not necessarily the right choice for everyone. Your primary provider can go over the risks and benefits of starting an aspirin regimen and help you to decide if this would be the right thing to do.

Smoking
About 20 percent of adult men smoke, which can lead to heart disease. Fortunately, quitting helps! The increased risk of heart disease goes down as soon as you quit. So, the longer you are away from cigarettes, the better.

Diet and Exercise
Finally, diet and exercise are often talked about and sometimes the hardest things to change. Increased physical activity and adherence to a healthy diet help with many things, including your heart. Talk to your doctor about the best way to increase your physical activity and how to change your diet for the better.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Are You Health Smart Online & On Your Phone?

-
Image
It's hard to deny that more people than ever are turning to the Internet for instant access to information on any topic. From surfing the net to downloading an app, the opportunities are endless when it comes to finding out information about how to manage your health. According to recent research, approximately eighty percent of Americans have, at some point in their life, searched for health information online. This statistic makes it the 3rd most popular web-based activity of Internet users! The problem, however, is that only fifteen percent of those individuals actually check whether or not the information they are reading is from a credible source or if it is current, up-to-date information. Why is checking your source a big deal? Because anyone - even your next door neighbor who knows nothing about health and wellness - could post health information on the Internet. Just because you find health information on the Internet does NOT mean it's factual information. How
Read more

Developing a Workout Routine

-
Image
Developing a routine when working out is important for achieving fitness goals and protecting your body from injury. Below are some tips and tools on developing the perfect workout routine. Use these tips to customize a workout routine that works for you! Tip 1: Consistency Building a strong fitness routine does not happen overnight. You must develop a process and work at it regularly. Decide how many days you are going to work out each week and commit to fitting it into your schedule. Tip 2: Recover Your muscles need time to recover to completely benefit from your physical efforts. When creating your routine, make sure there are days for rest! You do not have to remain completely inactive on recovery days. Long walks, light yoga and casual swimming are all things that get your body moving while still allowing time for your muscles to recoup. Tip 3: Variety Consistency is important when you are thinking about duration and frequency of exercise. Variety is import
Read more

Tips from Mental Health America: Look Around, Look Within: Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health

-
Image
  Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally? This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health. Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer. While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being. • Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reachi
Read more

How to Build a Low Cost Home Gym

-
Image
So many of us wish we could get more use out of our gym memberships, but with hectic lives and unpredictable schedules, it's not always so easy. If you find it too hard to get out of your house every day for a workout, why not bring the gym to you? Creating a gym in your home can save time and money -- there's no need to own the same heavy, expensive equipment found at a standard gym. You may be surprised at how easy it is to tailor a home gym to fit you personal needs. All you need are a few tangible pieces and a motivational vibe! Below are five necessities to start building your home gym. Atmosphere: Think about what you like most about the gym and figure out how to bring some of that atmosphere to your own space. If natural light is a must have for you, find a space upstairs with great windows to create the look you want. If you like to watch TV while you sweat, set up your gym in a room that has screen access. Need a little visual motivation? Try something simple like
Read more

Welcoa Well Balanced: How to Protect and Maintain Eye Health

-
Image
When it comes to eye health many adults mistakenly believe that as long as nothing is bothering their eyes, there’s no need to get them checked out. However, getting regular eye exams is very important, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye exams allow an eye care professional to monitor your eyes for common vision problems and signs of disease. There aren’t early warning signs for the most common eye diseases, so by identifying diseases early, you have the best treatment options and the best chance of preserving good vision. If you haven’t had an eye exam in more than a year or at all, schedule one now. A comprehensive exam will often include eye dilation. After checking your vision sharpness, your doctor will place drops in your eyes to dilate (widen) the dark center of your eyes, called the pupil. This allows more light into your eyes, just like opening a door lets light into a dark room. The doctor can then examine the inside of your eyes. Your eye doctor will tal
Read more

Join Us for the Corporate Cup 5K!

-
Image
  Run or walk with us on May 16th, 2024!  (Or complete the virtual option 5/16 - 5/31) Sign up at  https://www.vcccsar.org/  today! Race Fee Reimbursement LiveWell Vermont will reimburse the registration fee for employees/retirees who have insurance with Blue Cross Vermont through the State.  When you sign up, please select  "State of Vermont"  or  "State of Vermont Employee"  as your employer (not your specific agency or department). Your reimbursement will be automatically added to your paycheck  (minus a few dollars of tax). If you've selected the State as your employer, there are no additional steps necessary to receive the reimbursement.  Volunteer Volunteers needed before and on the race day.  Learn more . If interested,  register on their website.
Read more

Coping with Stress - Tips from CDC

-
Image
  Coping with Stress tips from CDC Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful and overwhelming.  Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will help you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient. Stress can cause the following: Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration. Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests. Trouble concentrating and making decisions. Nightmares or problems sleeping. Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes. Worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions. Increased use of  alcohol , illegal drugs (like  heroin ,  cocaine , or  methamphetamine ), and misuse of prescription drugs (like opioids). Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress Here are some ways you can manage stress, anxiety, grief, or worry: Take breaks from news stories,  including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but constant information about negative event
Read more