Content
1. Cardiovascular
disease (CVD): prevention and control
2. Lifestyle Changes
3. Know Your Blood Pressure and Keep it Under Control
4. Know Your Blood Glucose and keep it Under Control. It can save your life
5. ABC and D of HIV/AIDS and STDs
Cardiovascular
disease (CVD): prevention and control
*₁Cardiovasculardisease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the
heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries
leading to and from the heart. Research on disease dimorphism suggests that
women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that
affect the blood vessels while men usually suffer from forms that affect the
heart muscle itself. Known or associated causes of cardiovascular disease
include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia and hypercholesterolemia.
*₂An estimated 16.7 million - or
29.2% of total global deaths - result from the various forms of cardiovascular
disease (CVD), many of which are preventable by action on the major primary
risk factors: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. More than 50%
of the deaths and disability from heart disease and strokes, which together
kill more than 12 million people each year, can be cut by a combination of
simple, cost-effective national efforts and individual actions to reduce major
risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and
smoking.
And these
are no longer only diseases of the developed world: some 80% of all CVD deaths
worldwide took place in developing, low and middle-income countries, while
these countries also accounted for 86% of the global CVD disease burden. It is
estimated that by 2010, CVD will be the leading cause of death in developing
countries.
Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to cardiovascular disease;
America's No. 1 killer, especially for African Americans. *₃African
American adults are less likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease and
they are more likely to die from heart disease than their counterparts due to
various health disparities.
Blood cholesterol
for adults is classified by levels. Your healthcare provider must interpret
your cholesterol numbers based on other risk factors such as age, gender,
family history, race, smoking, high blood pressure, physical inactivity,
obesity and diabetes.
Everyone age 20
and older should have a fasting "lipoprotein profile" (blood test) every
five years. This test is done after a nine- to 12-hour fast without food,
liquids or pills. It gives information about total cholesterol, LDL (bad)
cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats). If your cholesterol is high or you have other
risk factors,your
healthcare provider will likely want to monitor your cholesterol more closely.
Take
responsibility for managing your cholesterol levels and health. Whether you've
been prescribed medication or advised to make diet and lifestyle changes to
help manage your cholesterol, carefully follow your doctor's recommendations.
For more
information on heart disease including cholesterol levels and heart healthy
diet please visit: http://www.americanheart.org
*Researchers have found that the disparity in rates of heart
disease deaths between African Americans and whites can be attributed in large
part to low levels of vitamin D in a substantial portion of the black
population. To read more about this please visit; http://www.abcardio.org
Lifestyle Changes
Your diet (eating habits), weight, physical activity and exposure to tobacco
smoke all affect your cholesterol level which affects your heart and these
factors may be controlled by:
- eating a heart-healthy diet which includes a diet low in saturated fat, trans
fat, and cholesterol, limit sodium (salt) intake, increase fiber
- enjoying regular physical activity
- avoiding tobacco smoke
Know Your Blood Pressure and Keep it Under Control
High blood pressure (HBP), or Hypertension, is a disease.
Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Most of the
time, there are no symptoms, but when high blood pressure goes untreated, it
damages arteries and vital organs throughout the body. That's why high blood
pressure is often called the "silent killer". Even though it
typically has no symptoms, HBP can have deadly health consequences if not treated
*₃ African American adults are 40% more likely to have high
blood pressure, they are 10% less likely than their non-Hispanic White
counterparts to have their blood pressure under control.
Even if your blood pressure is normal, you should consider
making lifestyle modifications to prevent
the development of HBP and improve your heart health. Have your Blood Pressure
checked regularly and eat a he art healthy diet!
For more information on HBP, Stroke Warning Signs and recommendations for Healthy Blood Pressure visit;
http://www.americanheart.org
Know your blood glucose level and keep then under
control. It can save your life.
According to WHO (World Health Organization) in 2000
there were 171,000,000 reported cases of Diabetes worldwide and by the year
2030 these numbers will more than double with an estimate of 366,000,000.
Data from the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet (the most
recent year for which data is available)
23.6 million children and adults in the United States; 7.8%
of the population have diabetes.
Diabetes often goes
undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies
indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can
decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes. ForComplications associated with
Diabetes please visit; http://www.diabetes.org/
African Americans are twice
as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. In addition,
they are more likely to suffer complications from diabetes, such as end-stage
renal disease and lower extremity amputations. Although African Americans have
the same or lower rate of high cholesterol as their non-Hispanic white
counterparts, they are more likely to have high blood pressure.
- African American adults are twice as likely than
non-Hispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes by a
physician.
- In 2006, African American men were 2.2 times as likely
to start treatment for end-stage renal disease related to diabetes, as
compared to non-Hispanic white men.
- In 2005, diabetic African Americans were twice as
likely as diabetic Whites to be hospitalized.
- In 2006, African Americans were 2.3 times as likely as
non-Hispanic Whites to die from diabetes.
*₅Research studies have found that moderate weight loss
and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults at high-risk of
diabetes. For more information visit; http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/prevent.htm
Diabetes
is treatable and there are various options for treatment that must be discussed
with your healthcare provider.
People
with diabetes can eat the same foods the family enjoys. Everyone benefits from
healthy eating so the whole family can take part in healthy eating. It takes
some planning but you can fit your favorite foods into your meal plan and still
manage your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.
For more information on
healthy food choices please visit; http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/diabetes-meal-plans-and-a-healthy-diet.html
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ABC and D of HIV/AIDS and STDs
A=Abstinence; Abstinence
or not having sex is the ONLY 100% chance of not contracting or
spreading HIV or any STDs (sexually transmitted disease). A little self control
goes a long way!
B=Be faithful; if
you and your partner are monogamous (one on one relationship), and you both are
uninfected with HIV or any STDs (that means you’ve been tested for HIV and
other STDs). Be faithful to each other and yourself.
C=Caution; if you
are sexually active with multiple partners or your partner is promiscuous, take
precautions. Use Condoms, but remember
they are only 98-99% effective, only if used consistently! Self Control is the big C in this equation. Control your body and mind; don’t let
others control them for you!
And don’t forget D
D=Do not share drug paraphernalia. We
do not promote drug use, but if you do remember that; Intravenous Drug Use was
the second leading mode of transmission (16.2% in males, 36.6% in females).