Oklahoma City Indian Clinic provides tips to prevent heart disease.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, wants to encourage healthy habits to reduce your risk of heart disease.
American Heart Month is observed every February to bring awareness to heart disease and ways to prevent it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
“Heart disease can go undiagnosed until a person experiences symptoms of heart attack, heart failure or arrhythmia,” said Dr. Janice Hixson, OKCIC’s Chief Medical Officer. “Checking your cholesterol and blood pressure regularly will help you know if you’re at risk of heart disease, and if you need to make any changes to lower your risk.”
Other ways to prevent heart disease include getting regular physical activity, not smoking and eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. To help lower cholesterol, it’s important to eat foods high in fiber and low in cholesterol and fats. Eating foods low in sodium can help lower your blood pressure.
“Regular exercise is a great way to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol,” Hixson said. “Adults are recommended to get at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, which can include brisk walking.”
Signs of heart disease can be difficult to detect. Taking measures to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol will help lower your risk.
About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 21,000 patients from over 220 federally recognized tribes every year. American Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please call (405) 948-4900 or visit www.okcic.com.