Trot to Your Doc

We’ve bounced in and out of your inbox all month, telling you to improve your heart health and what symptoms may indicate that it’s time to see your doctor.

If you’re like us, it can be hard to remember what you ate for breakfast yesterday, much less remember every health tip you read or when to schedule routine checkups.

However, one of the best ways to find that longevity we discussed is prevention. Unfortunately, nearly 40% of people aged 26 to 54 haven’t seen their doctor in the past five years. And if you’re not seeing a doctor regularly, you may be missing warning signs of heart disease.

In a study recently published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, researchers found that 68% of heart attack sufferers had signs of plaque buildup in their arteries. Of these people, 60% had undiagnosed coronary artery disease.

So, what’s keeping people from seeing their primary care physicians? A recent poll suggests nearly 50% of people are concerned about cost, but heart disease costs the United States about $400 billion per year. In addition, not heading off heart disease early could cost your life.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death – and takes the life of one American every 40 seconds. Some main contributors are blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

However, you’ll know your baseline levels if you see your doctor regularly. Then, if something changes, your doctor can intervene early, when the condition is most treatable. Your primary care provider also can prescribe medications, run tests on your heart and even refer you to a cardiologist.

All you have to do is hop on the phone or the internet and make an appointment.

Studies show that 80% of cardiovascular disease cases could have been prevented through a healthy diet, exercise and “knowing your numbers.” However, knowing your numbers is hard if you’ve skipped your last appointment with those folks in scrubs and white coats! Consider putting reminders on your calendar to schedule important checkups.

Can’t remember when to schedule screenings? Here are a few reminders:

• Blood Glucose. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing adults 45 and older for prediabetes and risk for future diabetes at 3-year intervals.
• Blood Pressure. Nearly 47% of American adults suffer from high blood pressure, so people 20 and older should have it checked at least once yearly. And, those with high blood pressure may need to be seen more often. Remember, hypertension is referred to as the “silent killer” because there may be no symptoms.
• Body Mass Index. Your healthcare professional may chart your waist circumference and body weight to calculate your BMI during annual checkups. This is because being overweight raises your risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Cholesterol. Adults 20 and older should have their cholesterol tested every four to six years. High-risk patients may need to be tested more often. After age 40, your doctor can help you calculate your 10-year cardiovascular disease risk.

You’ve leaped, loped, hopped, skipped and jumped to the end of this series. But what’s next? We’re not quite done – one more email is coming your way soon!