Ohio State nav bar

Skip to main content

The Ohio State University

  • Help
  • BuckeyeLink
  • Map
  • Find People
  • Webmail
  • Search Ohio State
  • Home
  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars
  • Authors

Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Topics:

The Ohio State University
You are here: Home / Mind and Body / “Be One in a Million Hearts”

February 28, 2013

“Be One in a Million Hearts”

3150512-30631-heart-shape-for-love-symbolsDid you know that Heart Disease is the number one killer in the United States?  Preventing heart disease is the campaign of “Million Hearts.”  The goal is to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next few years.

What can you do to prevent heart attacks?  Million Hearts has examined the research and found that there are five steps you can take to make a big difference in your risk.  They are known as the “ABCS.”

A= Appropriate Aspirin Therapy for those who need it.   Check with your doctor as to whether taking aspirin will reduce your risk for heart attacks.

B= Blood Pressure Control

One in three adults has high blood pressure and half of them don’t have it under control.   Many have high blood pressure and don’t know it.  Known as the “silent killer” it has no symptoms or  warning signs.   Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year.  If it is high see your doctor and follow his/her recommendations.   If you need medication take it.   All of us can reduce our risk of high blood pressure by:

  • Eating a healthy diet that limits sodium.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Being physically active.
  • Limiting alcohol use.
  • Not smoking.

C= Cholesterol Management  

One in three Americans has high cholesterol and 66% percent of those do not have it under control.  Knowing and controlling your numbers can make a difference in your heart attack risk factors.  Limit the amount of saturated fat,  trans-fat and cholesterol you  consume, to avoid raising your bad cholesterol levels. Using monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in place of saturated and trans-fat can lower blood cholesterol levels. Eating a high fiber diet can also help lower cholesterol.

Being physically active can increase your good cholesterol levels.  Research has found that eating too many carbohydrates can lower good cholesterol for some people.   

S= Smoking Cessation and Stress Reduction  

Smoking greatly increases your risk of heart disease by injuring blood vessels and increasing the hardening of the arteries.  Stopping smoking can reduce your risk.  Don’t start and if you do smoke, quit.

 Stress Reduction   Use healthy methods of dealing with stress and keep your stress levels under control.  Exercise,  eating healthy, getting a good night’s sleep, relaxation techniques and meditation are ways that can help you deal with stress so that it does not overwhelm you.

Getting a biometric health screening can provide you with the clues needed as to determine your  risk factors.   Making changes in those risk factors can add up to preventing or delaying heart disease and stroke.     Follow the “ABCS” to reduce your risk and join the campaign.  You can find more information and join the campaign at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html

Author:  Pat Brinkman, Extension Educator Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Miami Valley EERA

Reviewed by:  Linnette Goard, Field Specialist, Food Safety, Selection and Management, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension.

References:

Materials from the following websites downloaded on February 19, 2013:

http://millionhearts.osu.edu

http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/

http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Categories: Mind and Body
Tags: behavior change, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, eating, health, healthy eating, heart health, nutrition, physical activity, setting goals, stress, strokes

Avatar for Pat Brinkman
Avatar for Pat Brinkman

About Pat Brinkman

Pat Brinkman is an Assistant Professor and Extension Educator in Family and Consumer Sciences. She works to educate and empower children, youth and adults to elect healthy lifestyle choices. Having grown up on a farm, she enjoys gardening, cooking and finding or adapting recipes to be low in sugar and fat. OSU Buckeyes are her favorite team. Go Bucks!

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

pen and paper

A Day of Mini Mindfulness Practices

ten minute timer

Top Ten Tips for Practicing Mindfulness

Finding your path to wellness webinar series presented in Spring 2024

mug

Winter Slump to Winter Wake Up

Follow Us!

  • Facebook

Footer

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.
Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!

Categories

  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars

Follow us!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
The Ohio State University
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

© 2025 Live Smart Ohio - Family and Consumer Sciences | The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology | Accessibility | Privacy Policy

%d