Midyear is the Best Time to Take Control of Your Health

This summer I have been working with the American Heart Association as the communications intern. This intern experience has taught me a lot about the importance of taking control of my own health. Midyear is the best time to take control of your health. If you haven’t gotten a checkup in the past year, now is a great time to check in with your doctor. Making an appointment now can help avoid the hectic and busy schedule around back to school season. Even as a young adult it is extremely important to have regular preventative screenings.

It is also necessary to take some preventative actions on your own time. According to the American Heart Association prevention and reducing the risk of cardiac disease and stroke can significantly lower potential health care costs in the future.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention tips are typically discussed during every annual checkup. These prevention tips are things that you can monitor and control on your own. Other forms of prevention require getting doctor’s assistance.

Here are some things that you can do to control your own health –

1. Stay smoke free. It is extremely important to avoid smoking at all costs. Whether you are using traditional cigarettes or using e-cigarettes and vaping products, you are increasing your risk for cardiac disease and stroke.

2. Eat well. Try to maintain a healthy weight and diet by thinking about what you eat. Include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet and try your best to avoid foods with saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. It is also important to control your portion sizes. Only eat what you need to and when you need to.

3. Stay physically active. The American Heart Association recommends getting about 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. If you don’t have time to go to the gym, take a stroll during your lunch break, walk or bike to work or take the stairs instead of the elevator.

4. Actively get preventative health screenings. Certain health screenings are more complicated and require a doctor’s assistance.

Some crucial screenings are

1. Blood Pressure Screening

Measuring blood pressure is one of the most important screenings because, high blood pressure has no signs or symptoms but, it can greatly increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. You should get your blood pressure read at annual checkups, and you can invest in an at-home monitor to check more regularly.

2. Cholesterol Screening

A cholesterol screening is recommended every four to six years for adults at normal risk. However, if you have a higher risk of heart disease or stroke, you may have to go more often.

Prevention is much easier than treatment. Get your health in check today.