Springfield-Greene County Health is recognizing American Heart Month this February by raising awareness of the risk factors for heart disease and offering tips on living a heart-healthy lifestyle. In the Springfield Community (Greene, Christian, and Webster Counties), more than 31% of adults have high blood pressure and nearly 36% have high cholesterol according to the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment.
Risk factors like these, as well as poor physical health and obesity, increase the likelihood that a person will develop and die from heart disease or a related complication, such as a stroke. Already in Greene County, 7.2% of adults have coronary heart disease, compared to similar rates for Missouri, 7.5%, and the United States, 6.9%.
This American Heart Month, the Health Department is encouraging adults to take at least one step toward bettering their heart health. The National Institutes of Health has published a list of 28 ways to work toward a healthy heart. Some ideas include:
- Getting your blood pressure checked.
- Walking an extra 15 minutes.
- Planning meals and snacks that are heart healthy.
- Finding ways to reduce stress in your everyday life.
- Calling a relative to ask about your family health history.
- Taking steps to quit smoking.
- Talking to your doctor about your heart health.
More information about heart disease and tips to living a heart healthy lifestyle can be found on the American Heart Month website and on the Health Department’s social media account through the month of February.
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Media may contact the Health Department PIO Team by call or text at 417-380-2556 or email at [email protected].
Springfield-Greene County Health Department
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417-864-1658
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