From Treatment to Prevention

by Jody Perrecone

Recently, the American Heart Association has made a paradigm shift in its approach to heart disease from how to treat heart disease to how to prevent heart disease.  “It’s a much more prevention-oriented goal than we have had in the past.  The goal is to shift the population to a healthier lifestyle” according to Dr. Ralph L. Sacco, president of the American Heart Association.

The means of reaching their goal of improving cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% and reducing death from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20% are:

• Get active – 2 ½ hours of moderate exercise per week.

• Control cholesterol.

• Eat better – include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and less sodium and fats.

• Manage blood pressure – keep below 120/80

• If overweight, lose weight.

• Reduce blood sugar.

• Don’t smoke.

Locally, CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Program) teaches people how to achieve these and other goals that reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 96%.  Over 7,000 people in the Rockford area have achieved better health from this scientifically-proven program. For more information visit www.CHIPhealth.com or call 815-316-6361.