Heart disease still a leading cause of death – News-Press Now

With one person dying of cardiovascular disease every 36 seconds in the United States, the month of February offers a chance to focus on improving heart health and highlighting resources that can help.

February is American Heart Month. Gina Lucas, engagement specialist in nutrition and health education for the University of Missouri Extension in Andrew County, pointed out that many people are not getting preventative tests, which are needed now more than ever.

Those things (illnesses) havent gone away during quarantine, and so people who are putting off their preventive care could be putting themselves at increased risk, Lucas said.

Dr. Jane Schwabe of Mosaic Life Care said there are some basic risk factors for heart disease, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal lipids or cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease.

Although I think COVID has tipped to be the number one cause of death right now for the country, heart disease is still the major killer of people, Schwabe said. It needs to be taken seriously, and its always easier for us to help you and treat you if we can find things early rather than waiting until its late in the game.

Schwabe recommends seeing a doctor regularly and staying educated on risk factors.

Lucas and Schwabe said many people do not realize their symptoms until its too late.

One of the programs that we teach through the University of Missouri Extension is health information for men, Lucas said. Men are known for avoiding the doctor and then not addressing an issue until it becomes a big problem.

She said thats why its important for wives, daughters and mothers to encourage the men in their lives to get checked.

Schwabe said many women also do not get themselves checked because they dont have as severe symptoms.

Women tend to put themselves off a bit, Schwabe said. Its not uncommon for us to have women come a little bit later in the game than men might.

There are different tests that can be done that are not invasive and do not have to be ordered by your doctor.

Theres a CAT scan thats available now called a cardiac CT, or a calcium score, its called different things, which has made a big impression on me, Schwabe said. Weve been offering them here in town, through Mosaic, and also there are some private X-ray places that are doing them, usually $45 or $50. Its just a quick, no-IV-needed scan of the heart to look for calcifications to see if youre at higher risk than others for heart disease.

Health officials have expressed concern about people not going to their doctor or hospital when needed due to the pandemic.

Dont be afraid to go to your doctor, dont be afraid to come in if you need to come in, because were doing our best to keep you safe and have lots of processes in place to do that, Schwabe said.

Schwabe added that it is important to get the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly for people who have heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other risk factors.

Lucas said anyone who wants more information on self-care tips can find videos shared every Thursday in February on the MU Extension in Andrew County and MU Extension in Buchanan County Facebook pages as well as the Rolling Hills Library pages.

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Heart disease still a leading cause of death - News-Press Now