Heart healthy for February

During February, stores are full of heart-shaped cards, candy boxes and decorative hearts of all sizes and shapes. February is also the month to consider the shape of your heart.

Although February is known for its Valentine’s Day celebrations, it is also “American Heart Month.”

American Heart Month brings awareness to the factors surrounding heart disease, like symptoms, complications and risk factors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

According to the CDC, Native Americans /Alaska Natives were 50% more likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease than their white counterparts.

With this knowledge, the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) has prioritized identifying and treating cardiovascular health in the patients they serve.

“From early detection of heart conditions while still in the womb, through screening and monitoring during childhood, to ongoing care and treating into adulthood, CNHSA provides state of the art detection and treatment of heart-related issues,” stated Dr. Jason Hill, CNHSA Chief Medical Officer.

The CDC lists ways to help prevent heart disease. Positive lifestyle changes include:

• Quitting smoking if you smoke
• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Managing diabetes if you have diabetes
• Managing blood pressure
• Stress management

On February 3, the Choctaw Nation encourages all Associates to wear red for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women Day.”

The movement launched in 2004 to raise awareness and fight a woman’s greatest health threat — cardiovascular disease.

I encourage all of us to speak to our friends, family and loved ones about the importance of educating ourselves and being proactive regarding heart disease.

After all, we owe it to ourselves, our loved ones, and our tribe.

To contact the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority, call 800-522-6170.