February is nationally recognized as American Heart Month, a time for the DoD community to show its love for healthy living. We will promote health messages about reducing the risk of heart disease and recognizing the warning signs. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) — including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure — is the number one killer of men and women in the United States.
- Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions.
- The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
Know Your Risk!
Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include:
- High blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels
- Smoking
- Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables
- Overweight and obesity
- Physical inactivity
Taken together, these major risk factors account for around 80% of deaths from heart disease and stroke. The only way to know your level of risk is to be assessed by a healthcare professional and to be checked for factors such as your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, waist measurement and BMI. Once you know your overall risk, agree with your health care professional on a plan for specific actions you should take to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.
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Article
2/1/2016
![Army Maj. Roger Williams, a flight surgeon from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, listens to his patient's blood circulation with a stethoscope at the Troop Medical Center on Camp Humphreys, South Korea.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161027173646im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/healthyheart1.ashx?mw=120)
February is Heart Health Month for the Military Health System. In the first in our series, we look at the risk factors that affect heart health, including the things we can affect and those we cannot.
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Nutrition, Physical Activity, Tobacco-Free Living, Heart Health
Article
11/16/2015
![While active-duty women do get regular health check-ups, women who leave active duty, and dependents need to make sure they remain diligent about keeping track of their health. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Charity Washko (right), a health services technician, wraps a blood pressure cuff around Petty Officer 3rd Class Charly’s arm. The vitals check information includes blood pressure, pulse and temperature which is recorded in a service member's medical record for every visit to a clinic. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Lally)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161027173646im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Heart%20health.ashx?mw=120)
The death rate for women and heart disease is higher than all forms of cancer combined
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Heart Health
Article
5/12/2015
![Army Lt. Col. Joy Schmalzle is an avid cyclist, triathlete, and founder of the cycling club called Positive Motion.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161027173646im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/DHHQ%20Cyclist%20Schmalzle.ashx?mw=120)
The approach of birthday number 40 inspired Army Lt. Col. Joy Schmalzle to take up cycling, and in four short years she has biked thousands of miles, become a triathlete, and started a cycling club called Positive Motion.
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Physical Activity, Heart Health
Article
2/4/2015
![Karen S. Guice, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161027173646im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Guice%20Official%20Photo.ashx?mw=120)
February is American Heart Month, and the Military Health System will celebrate the benefits of heart healthy living throughout the month.
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Operation Live Well, Heart Health
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