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Heart Health

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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Showing results 16 - 25 Page 2 of 2

Be Heart Smart

Infographic
2/1/2016
Be Heart Smart Infographic

Be More Active, Avoid Tobacco, Choose Better Nutrition

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Heart Health, Preventive Health

Healthy hearts: It all starts with lifestyle

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.

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.

Recommended Content:

Nutrition, Physical Activity, Tobacco-Free Living, Heart Health

Military cardiologist wants women to be more proactive on 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)

The death rate for women and heart disease is higher than all forms of cancer combined

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Heart Health

Restorative effects of sleep examined by Naval Research committee

Article
8/14/2015
U.S. Army Soldiers awake in their hasty fighting position after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan.

Lack of sleep can aggravate PTSD and TBI and increase risk of obesity, heart attack and stroke in the military—the “Restorative Effects of Sleep” workshop, convened by the Office of Naval Research and Human Performance Optimization Committee, addressed these concerns.

Recommended Content:

Sleep, Traumatic Brain Injury, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Heart Health, Health Readiness

A successful exercise program: it’s all in the specifics

Article
8/3/2015
Lt. Sonha Gomez, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Houma, La., engages in weight training at the gym.

A successful exercise program has a number of factors, including setting realistic goals, engaging in activities you like, varying the workout, and tracking progress.

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Physical Activity, Heart Health, Men's Health, Preventive Health

DHHQ cycling team founder uses 'Positive Motion' to encourage others

Article
5/12/2015
Army Lt. Col. Joy Schmalzle is an avid cyclist, triathlete, and founder of the cycling club called Positive Motion.

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

February Marks American Heart Month

Article
2/4/2015
Karen S. Guice, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

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

Binding Wounds, Fighting to Serve: African-Americans in Military Medicine

Article
1/30/2015
Fugitive slaves, known as "contraband" worked for the Union Army as nurses, cooks, laundresses, and laborers. Pictured are contraband who served with the 13th Massachusetts Infantry from 1863-1865. (U.S. Military History Institute)

In the first of a series, we look at the history of African-Americans through the Civil War.

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Heart Health, Military Medical History

Protect your heart – stop smoking

Article
1/30/2015
image of heart protected by a barrier against smoking

Smoking can have devastating effects on your heart health.

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Operation Live Well, Tobacco-Free Living, Heart Health, Heart Health, Help Quitting Tobacco

TRICARE Preventive Health

Video
12/8/2014
TRICARE Preventive Health

This TRICARE TV Episode discusses TRICARE's preventive health benefits.

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Operation Live Well, Integrative Wellness, Heart Health, Immunizations, Men's Health, Children's Health, TRICARE Health Program, Preventive Health, Women's Health
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