Maintaining healthy lifestyle key to healthy heart Published Jan. 27, 2009 By Senior Airman Amanda Dick 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Heart diseases, including strokes, top the list for causes of death in America, according to the American Heart Association. That's why February is dedicated to raising awareness and reducing the risks of heart disease through maintaining healthier lifestyles--it is "American Heart Month." "In order to maintain a healthier lifestyle, our health and wellness must be a priority in our lives," said Maj. Lisa Tauai, 435th Aerospace Squadron Health Promotion Flight commander. "If eating healthy and staying physically fit are important to us, we are more apt to change our lifestyles and adopt a healthy way of life far into the future." Some conditions that put the heart at risk for disease and stroke are cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, arrhythmia and high blood pressure, according to the AHA. To reduce the risk of heart attack, AHA health experts say people can modify, treat or control five key risk factors by changing their lifestyles or taking medicine--tobacco smoke, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and obesity/overweight. AHA experts also say people should be using up as many calories as they take in, eat a variety of nutritious foods from all of the food groups and eat less nutrient-poor foods. "By controlling portion sizes, staying physically fit, and making healthy food choices, individuals can obtain a reasonable body weight which will reduce their chances of experiencing chronic health problems--such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure--in the long-term," Major Tauai said. Ramstein's Health and Wellness Center offers a variety of classes and programs to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as Heart Smart classes for those with high cholesterol, tobacco cessation classes for smokers, Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension classes for those with high blood pressure and classes to assist those wanting to lose weight. "The programs and services we offer provide individuals with the foundation and tools they need to begin making the necessary lifestyle changes in order to meet their goals," the major said. "Group classes also help our members in networking with other individuals with similar wellness goals." For more information about HAWC programs, call 480-4292. Warning Signs The American Heart Association lists several warning signs for heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest. Heart attack (call 1-1-2 when these symptoms arise) - Chest discomfort: discomfort in the chest center that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. - Upper body discomfort: can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. - Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Stroke (call 1-1-2 when these symptoms arise) - Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. - Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. - Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. - Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. - Sudden and severe headache with no known cause. Cardiac arrest (have someone call 1-1-2 when these symptoms arise, get an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available and begin CPR immediately) - Sudden loss of responsiveness: no response to tapping on shoulders. - No normal breathing: person doesn't take a normal breath when you tilt their head up and check for at least five seconds. For more information on heart diseases and practicing healthier lifestyle habits, visit www.americanheart.org.