Tennova Healthcare Says: Give Your Valentine the Gift of a Healthy Heart

2/12/2018

Show your true love just how much you really care

Lebanon, TN (February 12, 2018) – This year, Americans will spend approximately $2 billion on candy for the special Valentines in their lives. That’s great news for the chocolate industry, but not so much for our waistlines. Perhaps, it’s time for a non-traditional Valentine gift instead. Tennova Healthcare suggests the gift of a healthier heart.

“Every year, heart disease claims the lives of a half million men and women in the United States— husbands and wives, moms and dads—with loved ones left behind wondering if the loss could have been prevented,” said Kathleen Gray, M.D., Cardiovascular Medicine, a cardiologist on the medical staff with Tennova Healthcare. “And many times, it could have been prevented.”

While tremendous progress has been made in diagnosing, preventing and treating heart disease over the past three decades, it is still the leading cause of death by far—greater than all forms of cancer combined. With millions of adult men and women living with heart disease, and millions more enduring the risk factors that precede it, here are some things to consider this Valentine’s Day to help protect your heart—and that of your sweetheart.

• Evaluate and address metabolic syndrome. This is a group of health risks—large waist size, elevated blood pressure, glucose intolerance, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides—that dramatically increases your chance of developing heart disease. Metabolic syndrome, however, is reversible and your doctor can help determine your ideal numbers.
  Valentine’s Day Gift Suggestions: Tandem bike; healthy cooking classes; beginner’s yoga DVD.
• Address diabetes head-on. “Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease in women even more than it does in men,” Dr. Gray said. “Although women usually develop heart disease about 10 years later than men, diabetes erases that advantage. Type II diabetes is highly treatable, and in some cases even reversible. Work with your doctor to prevent or manage the condition.”
  Valentine’s Day Gift Suggestions: Fresh strawberries; gift cards for smoothies; personal blood glucose monitor.
• Get moving. You may have heard the news: “Sitting is the new smoking.” Even if you work out for an hour a few times each week, sitting more than 6 hours a day increases your risk of heart disease almost as much as smoking.
  Valentine’s Day Gift Suggestions: Standing work desk; mini stair-stepper; activity band or pedometer; high quality running shoes.
• Stop smoking. “Smoking is one of the greatest independent risks for heart attack and stroke in both sexes, but women who smoke are twice as likely to have a heart attack as male smokers,” Dr. Gray said.
  Valentine’s Day Gift Suggestions: Quit smoking together; ask your doctor for appropriate smoking cessation aids, if either of you struggles to quit.
• Chill out together. The dangers of chronic stress, overwork and sleep deprivation cannot be overestimated in terms of their impact on your heart health. Use Valentine’s Day to focus on happiness and relaxation.
  Valentine’s Day Gift Suggestions: Couple’s spa day; weekend getaway (or staycation); meditation or yoga classes.
• Get peace of mind. If you have risk factors, symptoms or a family history of heart disease, invest in appropriate diagnostic testing to ensure your risk is managed. Work with your doctor to determine which testing is best for you.
  Valentine’s Day Gift Suggestions: A scheduled visit with a cardiologist.

“The greatest gift you can give yourself or a loved one this Valentine’s Day is the gift of health, strength and long life,” Dr. Gray said. “So instead of candy or flowers, get creative. Think outside the box and get straight to the heart of the matter.”

For more information or to find a doctor, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682)

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