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You took the first step today to evaluate your risk…now take the next
step to reduce it!
- Call your primary care physician to get a complete
physical and laboratory exam scheduled. Let them know that you took a risk
reduction assessment and had 2 or more risk factors and you want to know that
you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke.
- If you don’t have a primary physician, SJMH has a
doctor referral line - The HEALTHLINE # is 800-231-2211
- Be informed – know the signs of a stroke and do not wait to seek treatment!
If you have or see someone having any of these symptoms call 9-1-1 immediately:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg,
especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Do not wait to see if the symptoms will disappear! Even if the symptoms only
last a short time, seek immediate medical help.
Your doctor can help you to decrease your risks!
- Controlling high blood pressure – medications and
diet changes can help
- Not smoking, or if you do smoke, stop now. Even if
you have smoked for years, after 1 year of not smoking your risk is cut in
half. Eventually, your risk is the same as a person that has never smoked. It
is never too late.
- Treat your diabetes – Diabetes can lead to many
complications. Watch your glucose levels closely.
- Eat a healthy diet – If you’re overweight, even just
losing 10 to 20 pounds can help lower your heart disease risk. If you struggle
with losing weight and can’t lose weight on your own, talk to a doctor,
registered dietitian (R.D.), or nutritionist
- Be physically active – you don’t have to be an
athlete to reduce your risk. Walking daily, taking the stairs vs. the elevator
or parking in the back of the lot at work are all ways to get inextra steps.
- Maintain a healthy weight – speak to your physician
to achieve your ideal body weight.
- Get regular medical check ups.
- Learn ways to reduce stress.
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