With proper care, hearts can work long and well
- col-kate-shumaker
- February 14, 2025
- 472
February is American Heart Disease Awareness Month. February also is a season for snow and cold temperatures. During winter months there are activities that put a strain on our heart such as shoveling snow and walking over icy terrain. These strains can affect those with heart disease and those with healthy hearts.
There are many factors that contribute to heart disease. And like clearing snow from the sidewalk, you can keep the heart pathways (vessels) open to allow better blood flow to the heart and brain.
The block in your vessels, slowing down the flow, is known as plaque. Plaque is comprised of calcium, cholesterol, fats and other products your body needs. Plaque attaches itself to the lining of vessels and slowly narrows the passages, eventually restricting blood supply to the heart. If a blood clot forms or a large piece of plaque breaks free from the lining, it can totally block the road to the heart and cause a heart attack or stroke. This process can occur to people of all ages, the old and the young, and there aren’t always signs or symptoms to warn of the problem.
Heart rhythms, heart failure and other related problems are contributing causes of heart disease. The body’s first offense to prevention is a good maintenance program. Regular checkups with your doctor and a visit to a heart specialist can help you maintain a healthy heart. Other maintenance includes proper nutrition and getting the right amount of exercise. When you have been diagnosed with any heart ailments, it’s important to take the prescribed medication and follow the doctor’s recommendations.
A heart whose rate averages 80 beats a minute will beat about 42,048,000 times every year. With proper maintenance your heart can continue to work well for a long time. You can help to keep your heart healthy, and you owe it to yourself and to your family to do just that.
For more information about heart disease, refer to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.
Kate Shumaker is an OSU Extension family and consumer sciences educator and may be reached at 330-674-3015 or Shumaker.68@osu.edu. Follow on Facebook @OSUEXTHolmes or visit holmes.osu.edu.