February 15, 2007
Take care of your heart
February is the month we celebrate Valentine's Day. Instead of thinking about chocolates and Valentine's Day, let's think about heart health and Valentine's Day.
Did you know that heart disease strikes people with diabetes about twice as often as it strikes people without diabetes? That's the bad news. The good news is that simple, positive steps can be taken to prevent heart disease--whether we have diabetes or not.
Try the following:
• Engage in 30 minutes of vigorous activity on most days of the week
• Enjoy a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
• Limit saturated fat. Enjoy lean meats and low fat dairy products.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid cigarette smoke
• Laugh! It helps reduce stress and anxiety
• Get your cholesterol checked. If it is too high, follow your health care provider's advice for lowering it
While it is important to know how to protect our hearts, it is also important to know the warning signs that you may be having a heart attack. Remember that most heart attacks begin slowly with mild pain.
Here are the signs to watch for:
• Chest discomfort (uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest)
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
If you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Don't diagnose yourself! Let a professional do that for you.
Be good to your heart. Cupid will thank you!
Do you know about your school's wellness plan?
All schools are required to have local wellness policies in place to help students develop lifelong behaviors of good nutrition and physical activity. Ask what your school is doing and how you can help.
Does your community need money for physical activity equipment?
Letters recently went out from the Diabetes Program to Traditional Councils and other community organizations with applications for activity projects. Think about how your community can work together to increase physical activities in your village.
One community is considering requesting grooming equipment for the ski trail they have built. Think also if there is anything you could do with a neighboring village. Or, how about a garden project?
The requests are due back at Diabetes by February 28.
Diabetes radio program
Second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. on KYUK
January 10 featured an interview with Olga Anvil and Elias Venes. Olga shared some of the challenges she has faced and the activities she has added to her life. She has also made efforts to improve her diet and eat healthy. Elias continues to live a very active lifestyle and eat nutritionally healthy foods to stay fit and trim. They are both inspirations for us all!
February 14: Dr. Dan Smith will be interviewed about keeping your heart healthy with diabetes. Listeners will also meet the Healthy Heart grant coordinator, Ben Marx. Tune in to learn about things of the heart on Valentine's Day!