American Heart Month the perfect time for a check-up.
February is American Heart Month, and as a leading community-based organization committed to improving the nation’s health, the YMCA of the Suncoast urges everyone to get a blood pressure screening. Revised blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association means that nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is “The Silent Killer” because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms.
To address the prevalence of heart disease, the Y has made a national commitment to the Million Hearts campaign, an initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes.
While high blood pressure and heart disease are serious conditions the good news is that a healthy heart is an achievable goal through lifestyle changes such as lowering sodium intake, eating healthier and getting more physical activity. Getting help can be as easy as going to your local Y and take part in our diabetes program.
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – which is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles to help reduce their chances of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke as those who do not have it.The YMCA of the Suncoast has offered the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program for six years serving more than 1,300 people who have seen great results.
The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about eating healthier, increasing their physical activity and making other behavior changes with the goal of reducing body weight by 7 percent in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. A trained lifestyle coach leads the program over a 12-month period. Increased physical activity and moderate weight loss not only reduce diabetes risk, but also have an impact on lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
The YMCA offers a community of diverse individuals who can support all people in meeting their health and well-being goals. Join today or stop into your local Y.