Preventing heart disease

The best way to treat heart disease is to avoid developing it. King’s Daughters provides health education and screening programs to help you – and your family – keep your heart as healthy as possible. Being aware of heart disease – its signs and symptoms – is essential. Earlier treatment of heart disease means better outcomes and better quality of life.

There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. These include making lifestyle changes - eating healthier, exercising, cutting tobacco out of your life and reducing stress.

Your primary care physician can help you assess your current health and risk and advise you on specific steps you should take.

See your family doctor regularly

The person most responsible for helping you discover potential heart problems is your primary care provider. A routine physical exam, combined with routine laboratory tests, can uncover cardiovascular illnesses in their earliest, most treatable stages. Your primary care physician plays an important role in helping you maintain optimal health, especially cardiac health. Be sure to explain your symptoms thoroughly, so your doctor can suggest the appropriate tests. If you do not currently have a family doctor, please visit our Physician Directory.

Healthy Heart Guide

You can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease by knowing important healthy heart numbers and making lifestyle changes to improve them.

• Don't smoke or stop smoking. You can lower risk by 50 to 70 percent within five years of quitting
• Maintain a healthy weight. Those who maintain a healthy weight are at a 35 to 55 percent lower risk than those who are obese
• Eat a healthy diet that includes:
  
  • Lots of water
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Lean meats
  • Low sodium and/or salt
  • Low sugar
  • Low saturated fats
  • Few fried/processed foods 

Talk to your doctor about a diet that's right for you. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's website, choosemyplate.gov is a good start.

Reducing Your Risk

• A 1 percent reduction in blood cholesterol levels can mean a 2 to 3 percent drop in risk.  
• Lowering your diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) produces a 2 to 3 percent drop in risk
• An active lifestyle can help reduce your risk of heart disease by up to 45 percent!

King's Daughters offers free Healthy Heart Screenings throughout our service area on a regular basis. To find out when we'll be in your area, and schedule an appointment, give us a call at 1-888-377-KDMC or click on the Get Screened icon at the top of this page.