Piedmont Newnan recognizes American Heart Month in February
Pictured above: Piedmont Newnan employees wearing red and celebrating American Heart Month.
From Piedmont Newnan Hospital
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for over 100 years straight, since 1921, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease along with stroke, which is the fifth leading cause of death, claims more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, based on the most recent data available.
The American Heart Association estimates nearly half of all people in the U.S. have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and, most notably, high blood pressure.
However, recent studies done by the American Heart Association, show that most people do not know the significant impact of heart disease. In the survey, only 49% of people named heart disease as the leading cause of death; 16% said they didn’t know the leading cause and 18% listed cancer as the top cause of death of people in the U.S.
Piedmont Newnan Hospital is recognizing American Heart Month as an important time to educate Georgians about cardiovascular disease and ways to prevent it, including encouraging staff to wear red this month (February) in honor of Heart Month.
“Cardiovascular disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, decreased life expectancy and quality of life,” said Timothy Lacny, director of cardiology at Piedmont Newnan. “Heart Month is a good reminder to check with your doctor about any known risk factors or family history of cardiac disease.”
High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, yet with proper treatment and management, it can be controlled and one’s risk for cardiovascular disease can be greatly reduced. The first step toward reducing any risk factor for cardiovascular disease is awareness.
Regular check-ups can help detect early signs of cardiovascular disease. One of the most important steps to help deter cardiovascular disease is to quit smoking. Implementing a regular exercise regimen and healthy diet along with controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol can also decrease your risk.
Family medical history can also affect an individual’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Discussing this topic with your doctor can aid in finding the best treatment options for you.
To learn more about cardiovascular services at Piedmont, please visit piedmont.org/heart.
