Is Your Heart at Risk?
Member Center:
One of the biggest misconceptions tied to a healthy heart is a physically fit and nutritionally sound individual. Although eating well and getting plenty of exercise protects your cardiovascular health, it doesn't shield you from heart failure.
As Siouxland has seen with the recent deaths of Saint Luke's Cardiologist Ken Tjeerdsma and former South Sioux City Wrestling Coach Pat Kavanaugh, titles and lifestyles don't make you immune to heart failure.
SSC Superintendent, Steve Rector, says, "Recently, Pat had been doing a few things to try and lead a healthier lifestyle, so when you have somebody working in that direction and to have something like this happen so suddenly is quite a shock."
But with such tragic losses, Rector says there's always something to take from it.
Rector adds, "The lesson here is that even when we feel good and think we're in good health, it's always a good idea to have those things checked out."
That's exactly why St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City is offering heart aware. A free online questionnaire that tracks your heart health and predicts various cardiovascular risks in just a few minutes.
St. Luke's Registered Nurse, Mary Schumacher, says, "This way they can do it in the comfort of their own home, they've got their privacy there, they can fill it out at their leisure and they don't have to feel like they're being pushed into anything."
Schumacher says that she's seen great response with this assessment tool, and it has even helped detect potential heart complications early on.
Schumacher adds, "We have had a few that have come in that were very shocked at their results. They were very health conscious. They walked everyday, they strictly watched what they ate, but still found that their cholesterol was quite high."
St. Luke's representatives add that beyond eating well and getting plenty of exercise regular follow ups with your doctor are the most important ways to prolong your life.
To test yourself, head to:
http://www.stlukes.org/body.cfm?id=800
