Health Column: Time to check in on your heart health

Content provided by Memorial Regional Health.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death (ahead of cancer and accidents) for adults in the United States, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The good news? Many forms of heart disease are preventable with early awareness, routine screenings, and healthy lifestyle choices.

February is American Heart Month, making it the perfect time to check in on your heart health.

Know your risk factors

Certain conditions and lifestyle habits can increase your risk for heart disease. Common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Being overweight or physically inactive
• Family history of heart disease
• Older age

If you have one or more risk factors, it’s important to schedule a visit with your primary care provider. During a routine checkup, your provider may measure your blood pressure, order blood tests to evaluate cholesterol and blood sugar, and discuss your family history, lifestyle habits and any symptoms you may be experiencing.

Depending on your risk factors or symptoms, your provider may recommend additional testing. Memorial Regional Health (MRH) offers several cardiovascular diagnostic services on-site, including:

• Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
• Echocardiograms
• Cardiac stress tests

Kelsie Bond, Physician Assistant at Memorial Regional Health specializing in cardiology, typically sees patients first to conduct initial screenings and testing. Once results are reviewed, patients may then be scheduled with cardiologist Dr. Frank Laws, who practices at Valley View Heart & Vascular Center in Glenwood Springs and travels to MRH two days each month to see patients in Craig. Completing diagnostic testing ahead of time helps ensure those specialty visits are as productive as possible.

Start small to improve heart health

Many heart disease risk factors can be managed or improved with a combination of lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication. Providers at MRH can help patients manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, quit smoking, and develop sustainable nutrition and activity habits.

“As adults, we generally know what we have to do to make our bodies healthier,” Bond said. “The hard part is the change. Changing your diet is hard. Quitting smoking is hard. Adding an exercise routine is hard.”

So, Bond suggests to her patients that they start small. “It takes two weeks to create a habit,” she said. “Focus on one thing at a time instead of the whole picture. Making too many changes at once can be discouraging, and people often get overwhelmed.”

Pay attention to your body

Heart disease doesn’t always look the same for everyone. While chest pain is a common symptom, other warning signs may include shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea or sweating, and jaw, back or arm discomfort.

“If something feels new, unusual, or concerning, don’t ignore it,” Bond said. “Listening to your body and seeking care early can be lifesaving.”

Community conversation: Heart health basics everyone should know

Join Memorial Regional Health for an educational lunchtime conversation with Kelsie Bond, cardiology PA. Learn what your heart health numbers really mean, why family history matters, and when it’s time to follow up — plus get answers to common heart health myths.

• Thursday, Feb. 19
• Noon-1 p.m.
• MRH Conference Rooms AB

Second call-out

Heart Health Care at MRH: To schedule a general wellness exam with your primary care provider, call 970-826-2400.

For cardiovascular screening with Kelsie Bond, PA-C, call Craig Medical Clinic at 970-826-2400.