Improve your health in a heartbeat!
You deserve the opportunity to reach your full health potential. And when your heart is healthy, you have a better chance of good overall health and longer life.
Pierce County residents face high rates of heart disease compared to the rest of Washington State. And people with diabetes and high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to develop heart disease.
Be present for those you love.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the amount of sugar in your blood. It can cause nerve damage, skin conditions, hearing impairment, kidney damage, and many other problems.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the steady high force of blood through your vessels. It can lead to health problems like stroke, vision loss, and heart failure.
Diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, which affects your quality and length of life. Prevent heart disease and be present for those you love.
How to have a healthy heart.
Small lifestyle changes mean big health improvements. To begin a healthier lifestyle:
- Know your risks for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension—Ask your family about their health history.
- Get screened—Make an appointment with your primary care physician.
- Lose extra weight.
- Consume more vegetables, fruit and water.
- Increase physical activity—alone or with friends.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Quit smoking—Learn about tobacco-free living.
- Reduce your stress.
- Get a good night’s sleep—7-9 hours.
Living well doesn’t mean you make big, difficult changes. The small steps you take each day make the biggest difference!
A healthier lifestyle.
Most health insurance plans cover a wide variety of lifestyle change programs. Call your insurance provider to ask about lifestyle programs are in locations near you, like community centers and churches. Many places hold exercise and diabetes prevention classes:
Certain foods can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. It can be tough to change your eating habits, but you can find lots of easy and tasty recipes. Try delicious, heart-friendly recipes at these sites:
How we help improve heart health.
We work with community organizations to present healthy lifestyle classes. Trusted community members—like health and nutrition professionals or community health workers—lead the classes. They include:
- Chronic disease management.
- Blood pressure self-monitoring.
Does your organization want to start a community-based diabetes, chronic disease prevention, or blood pressure self-monitoring program? Contact Johanna Wolf at [email protected].
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