February is American Heart Month
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Southwest Health is dedicated to keeping our community healthy, and one of the most pressing health concerns we face is heart disease. As the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease affects millions of individuals and families - including those right here in our rural community. While access to specialized heart care can sometimes be a challenge in smaller towns, prevention and early detection can make all the difference, and we are beyond fortunate to be able to provide premier heart care services at the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi.
Why Heart Health Matters
Heart disease does not discriminate - it can impact anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. However, many cases are preventable with the right steps. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and poor dietary habits are among the leading risk factors, but small, proactive changes can significantly reduce your risk.
Steps You Can Take for a Healthier Heart
Taking care of your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple yet powerful ways to improve your heart health:
Eat a Balanced Diet – Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your meals while reducing processed foods and excessive salt.
Stay Active – Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
Quit Smoking – If you smoke, seek support to quit, as tobacco use greatly increases your risk of heart disease.
Monitor Your Health – Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help identify risk factors before they become serious concerns.
Manage Stress – Finding healthy ways to reduce stress, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies, can have a positive impact on your heart.
Happy Healthy Heart Screening
We believe in helping our patients understand their personal risk factors for heart disease as well as to encourage healthier heart lifestyle choices, and that is why we offer our simple, non-invasive Happy Healthy Heart screening program for only $99 designed to help our cardiac specialists better diagnose, monitor, and care for every patients’ individual heart health needs!
If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as family history, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, struggles with weight, lack of exercise or other factors, we encourage you to take advantage of the Happy Healthy Heart $99 screening! Knowing more about your heart health can help you to better manage many of these risks!
The screening includes an EKG, Lipid Panel, Blood Sugar Evaluation, HeartSaver CT, Stroke Risk Assessment, Consultation with a Cardiac Nurse Practicioner, and much more!
Call 601-249-1703 to schedule yours today!
Join Us in Prioritizing Heart Health
American Heart Month is a great time to start making heart health a priority, but these efforts should continue year-round. We encourage you to take advantage of the resources available, make positive lifestyle changes, and support your friends and family in doing the same.
Together, we can build a healthier future for our rural community - one heartbeat at a time.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Heart Disease, American Heart Association (AHA) - American Heart Month Resources, National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Heart Health, Rural Health Information Hub - Heart Disease in Rural Communities
