Heart Attack & Stroke

The American Heart Association, along with the National

Institute of Health and the Allen County Health Depatment are

taking this time to encourage all Kentuckians and Allen Countians

to become aware of the dangers of cardiovascular disease and to take action to reduce your risk of developing problems before they arise.

Cardiovascular disease - heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure - kill nearly a million Americans each year.  About 62 million Americans live with one of these diseases.  Heart Disease is the nations leading cause of death among men and women of all racial and ethnic groups.

The occurance of these diseases increase with age and many people are unaware of even having any problems.  Usually symptoms are very vague or not even noticed until a stroke or heart attack happens.

High Blood Cholesterol is one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.  Other major risk factors include overweight, inactivity, smoking, heredity, and high fat diets.  It is recommended for all adults to have a blood test for cholesterol (which includes LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels) done every 3 years and more often depending on the results and risk factors involved.  Adults with family histories of cardiovascuar disease and over the age of 45 for men and 55 for women should be tested yearly.

To reduce your cholesterol levels and risk of developing cardiovascuar diesease it is suggested for each person to participate in physical activity 30 minutes daily 4 times a week, reduce or stop the use of tobacco products, eat a diet low in fat and high in fiber, vegetables, and fruits.  Body weight should be maintained at or below 26% body fat and some people may even need the help of cholesterol lowering medications.