February is the month of hearts, flowers, chocolates and love notes. It's also American Heart Health month! With as much as we know today about the importance of health and wellness as vehicle to prolong life and prevent disease, the statistics related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain alarmingly high. The good news is that while CVD remains the number one cause of death in the United States--IT'S TOTALLY PREVENTABLE!! Check out these current statistics from the American Heart Association:
-CVD and related illness result in 1 death every 40 seconds in the United States. That's an average 2,200 Americans daily. The total number of lives lost to CVD and related illnesses result in 1 out of every 3 deaths in the United States.
-CVD and related illnesses result in more loss of life than all cancers combined and all chronic lower respiratory disease combined.
-African American men are at the highest risk of developing CVD and currently more than 40% of African American men have been diagnosed with high blood pressure--which is a leading contributor to heart disease and stroke.
What can you do about this epidemic? Even small lifestyle changes can contribute to significant risk and harm reduction for CVD. I encourage each of you to make an appointment with your physician for a check-up and to obtain an accurate idea of where your heart health stands. Consider hiring a health coach to help you make changes related to increasing physical activity, dietary changes, smoking cessation or stress management. A health coaching program can help you make lasting changes that will significantly reduce your risks for CVD and improve how you feel in your body/mind/soul!
I encourage you to make time for yourself and make your health a priority. If you are not sure how a health coaching program could improve your life directly, feel free to reach out to me via email at bruce.professionalcounselor@gmail.com. In support of Heart Health Month I will be offering health coaching specials, including BOGO half off. Give the gift of health to yourself and a loved one. Don't forget to wear red on 2/2/18 in support of Heart Health Month!!
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