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Learn to love a healthy heart at Community Health

Submitted by tim on

Vermont Business Magazine You may have seen lots of red recently, red hearts, red t-shirts, red ribbons and everyone wearing something red to kick off American Heart Month. National Wear Red Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday in February to bring greater attention to heart disease as a leading cause of death for Americans. It’s the second leading cause of death among Vermonters.

At Community Health, heart health is a major focus for all of our primary care providers who use routine exams to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), or heart disease.

These routine exams are the ones that you have had - blood pressure and heart rate - each time you visit your provider. They will also listen to your heart and lungs, check for swelling in your feet and order blood tests to look at your cholesterol, blood counts, or check for diabetes.

You may also be scheduled for an electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure the electrical activity of your heart. They may recommend lifestyle changes, medications and even refer you to a cardiologist if needed.

How to Take Charge of Your Heart Health
Your primary care provider (PCP) can help you take charge of your own heart health with these preventive steps:

  • Know your family’s health history and heart health and discuss that with your primary care provider during your annual physical.
  • Healthy eating is important. Your primary care provider can help you manage your diet or can refer you to a dietitian.
  • If you have high blood pressure, your PCP can help you with lifestyle changes that can naturally lower blood pressure or can prescribe medications.
  • Heart disease and diabetes often go hand in hand. Ask your PCP about a personalized care plan for your specific needs if you are diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes.
  • Being overweight can be a strong risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. Ask about a plan to attain a healthy weight.
  • If lifestyle changes aren’t working, your PCP may refer you to a cardiologist.

Vermont’s 3-4-50 Heart Health Initiative
Heart disease is one of the four diseases resulting from the three behaviors responsible for over 50% of deaths in Vermont. The Vermont Department of Health has used the 3-4-50 initiative to spotlight the overwhelming impact of chronic disease in Vermont and inspire all of us to take action to change.

Heart Health Risk Factors
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ”about half of all Americans (47%) have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking."
Other risk factors, like your age or family history, cannot be controlled. By working with your primary care provider, you can take steps to lower your risk of heart disease by changing what you can control and create a healthier future.

Ask your primary care provider about what you can do to stay heart healthy. Learn more about primary care on Community Health’s website or call our Patient Access Center at 802-779-9169 or toll free at 888-989-8707.

Community Health is Vermont’s largest FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center), a network of primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham; Community Kids Dental and Community Health Pediatrics are in Rutland; and Behavioral Health services are available at all of our locations. Community Health Express Care centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers.

All Community Health locations are open and accepting new patients. For more information about career opportunities, hours and Community Health locations check our website www.chcrr.org.
The mission of Community Health is to be the foremost integrated community health center providing quality and collaborative care that is accessible to all people, in order to live their best lives and build stronger communities.

Community Health
71 Allen St., Suite 101
Rutland, VT. 05701