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 / Uncategorized / Take Charge of Your HEART Health…because you’re one in a million

January 31, 2018

Take Charge of Your HEART Health…because you’re one in a million

 heart health symbol

February is the month for taking control of your heart health.  Our heart is the organ that pumps blood through our body to both supply needed nutrients and oxygen to create the fuel needed to live, work and play.  The pumped blood also transports waste products that need to be eliminated.  Our lives depend on this muscle to keep us healthy, active and able to enjoy life.

Ohioans continue to follow the national trends showing heart disease death rates are declining more slowly than they have in the past, especially among adults ages 35 to 64. Not only are more younger adults dying of heart disease, but their rates of risk factors—such as physical inactivity, tobacco use, and hypertension—are also increasing. For American Heart Month 2018, Million Hearts® is calling on younger Americans to take control of their heart health and reduce heart disease risk.

We are not immune to heart disease, but we can reduce our risk—at any age—through lifestyle changes and by managing medical conditions. Take control by joining with the Clermont CAN members and OSU Extension to Take Charge of Your Heart Health

  • Find time to be active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Invite fitness buddies on an afternoon stroll, try an exercise class, or play a family pick-up game/sport.
  • Make healthy eating a habit. Small changes in your eating habits can make a big difference. Try making healthier versions of your favorite recipes. How? Look for ways to lower sodium and trans fat, and add more fruits and vegetables.
  • Quit tobacco—for good. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products affects nearly every organ in your body, including your heart. Quitting can be tough, but it can be easier when you feel supported. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) today or start with Tips from Former Smokers® .
  • Know your numbers. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease. Ask your health care team to check your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels regularly and help you take steps to control your levels.
  • Stick to the ’script. Taking your medications can be tough, especially if you feel fine. But sticking with your medication routine is important for managing and controlling conditions that could put your heart at risk.2 This video offers tips to help you take medicines at the right time and in the prescribed amount.

If you need more motivation to Take Charge of Your Health enroll in face-to-face local programs.  Click on the icons below for more information.

Million Hearts logo   Million Hearts provides the ABCSs of Heart Health to help individuals make positive lifestyle changes. This program is made possible through a partnership with the OSU College of Nursing.

Dining with Diabetes logoDining with Diabetes cooking school and nutrition education program designed for people with pre-diabetes or diabetes and their family members and caregivers.

Be Active Eat Smart logo   Clermont Coalition for Activity and Nutrition is composed of a diverse group of representatives who share the common concern about the impact obesity is having on county residents.

Partner with us to help save one million lives!

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...

WRITTEN BY: Margaret Jenkins, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension

REVIEWED BY: Pat Brinkman, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension

SOURCES:

  • https://fcs.osu.edu/programs/major-program-areas/healthy-people/million-hearts
  • https://clermont.osu.edu/program-areas/family-and-consumer-sciences/dining-diabetes
  • http://www.clermonthealthdistrict.org/ClermontCANMain.aspx
  • http://millonhearts.hhs.gov
  • http://millionhearts.osu.edu

REFERENCES:

  • https://www.odh.ohio.gov/-/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/health/Chronic-Disease-Plan/CD-Burden-Final_Webv2.pdf?la=en

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: diabetes, heart disease, Million Hearts, OSUE Clermont County

Avatar for Margaret Jenkins
Avatar for Margaret Jenkins

About Margaret Jenkins

Margaret Jenkins has a M.Ed. in Family & Consumer Sciences from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She is employed as a Family & Consumer Sciences Educator with Ohio State University Extension in Clermont County. Margaret’s specializations are health and wellness, financial wellness and youth and children. She is a champion of local partnerships that offer programming to address the work of the family in contemporary society.

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