Is this standing in the way of your good health?
If you live in the United States, chances are that you need to start taking proactive steps to improve your heart health, immediately.
Researchers from Tufts University found that fewer than 7% of American adults are in good cardiometabolic health. According to their recent study, 93% of American adults have medium to poor cardiometabolic health due to high blood pressure, high blood sugar or high blood cholesterol, overweight/obesity and cardiovascular disease.
“This study reinforces the message doctors want everyone to understand. A heart-healthy lifestyle is the key to good health, regardless of whether you’ve been diagnosed with a cardiometabolic condition,” says Dr. Tony Hampton, a family medicine physician with Advocate Medical Group.
The study also determined that the quality of cardiometabolic health is often linked to age, race, ethnicity, gender and even education level. For example, researchers found the percentage of non-Hispanic White Americans with good cardiometabolic health improved slightly between 1999 and 2018. On the other hand, cardiometabolic health among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks worsened.
Still, every group is challenged when it comes to cardiometabolic health.
“Metabolic health is impacted by lifestyle factors including nutrition, exercise, stress and sleep,” Dr. Hampton explains. “All of these are impacted by social determinants of health which include economic instability, lack of education, poor access to food and an insecure environment.”
Dr. Hampton says that addressing the root causes of why people struggle socially is the best path toward individual healing and improved cardiometabolic health for the larger population.
One way Advocate Health Care is helping patients overcome barriers to good cardiometabolic health is through Love Your Heart, a 6 month-long blood pressure control program that offers free blood pressure cuffs, training and physician check-ups to patients with hypertension.
In addition to learning how to self-monitor and track blood pressure, program participants gain access to fresh and healthy food, and have opportunities to attend monthly lectures and health-focused activities. This program, which is available at the Advocate Medical Group’s Imani Village location, is offered in partnership with the American Heart Association.
Take our heart health assessment to estimate your risk, determine your controllable and uncontrollable risk factors and receive guidance on what to do next.
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About the Author
Cassie Richardson, health enews contributor, is regional coordinator on the Public Affairs team for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has more than 10 years of experience in health care communications, marketing, media and public relations. Cassie is a fan of musical theater and movies. When she’s not spreading the word about health and wellness advancements, she enjoys writing fiction.
Very informative article. Well done!!!!
How many AAH primary care docs are actively recommending the Love Your Heart program to their patients???
I would like to Joined this program
Do you also have programs for people with low blood pressure?
High blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, can be reduced by drastically reducing or eliminating sugar and refined grains (flour) from the diet. This fact should be available to everyone. Sugar or HFCS contains fructose, when metabolized, produces high level of uric acid, which is known to cause hypertension. Keeping an eye on blood pressure is good but keeping it in the healthy range is better.
I WOULD LOVE TO JOIN THE PROGRAM HOW DO I SIGN UP?????