Take steps to reduce rate of heart disease in Valley

Thousands are expected to go on the march next Saturday in the Mahoning Valley to mark one of the most understated but highly compelling health-awareness observances across the globe.

On World Heart Day on Sept. 29, 200 cardiovascular organizations in 100 countries will unite in a common public- health blitz to inspire people to take charge of their heart health and to support groups on the front lines of the battle to lessen the scope of heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the universe.

We are proud to see the local chapter of the American Heart Association contributing to the global effort through its Mahoning Valley Heart Walk, the organization’s premiere event to bring individuals and communities together to raise funds and celebrate progress in treating heart disease and stroke.

The event will take place beginning at 9 a.m. next Saturday at the Watson And Tressel Training Site on the campus of Youngstown State University. The event deserves a strong turnout as a show of support for the AHA and its noble missions.

Last year, the Valley’s heart walk attracted more than 2,000 participants and raised more than $200,000 to fight cardiovascular disease. This year, organizers have set their sights higher with a $300,000 goal for the heart association, a nonprofit ranked among the most respected in the nation.

Since its founding 94 years ago in New York, the AHA has been this nation’s leading advocate for heart health and fundraising vehicle for transformative treatments and therapies.

Its fastidious focus on the heart has helped bring about a mammoth 60 percent reduction in cardiovascular-disease deaths over the past five decades.

Yet despite such gains, heart disease still kills more people than any other condition in the United States, Ohio and the Mahoning Valley. As such, the importance of taking your heart seriously all year long cannot be minimized.

HEART DISEASE IN THE VALLEY

In our region, heart-disease deaths have fallen dramatically over the past two decades, but the three counties in the Valley continue to rank above the national average of 165 heart-disease deaths per 100,000 population and the statewide average of 185 deaths per 100,000.

According to December 2017 data based on that formula from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate is 239 for Trumbull County, 236 for Mahoning County and 231 for Columbiana County.

Much of the overall decline has been tied to greater awareness of risk factors and healthy behaviors. Indeed, the heart association estimates that about 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.

LIFE’S SIMPLE SEVEN

Toward helping the AHA reach its broader goal of reducing cardiovascular deaths by 20 percent by 2020, the association has compiled a checklist of preventive strategies all heart-conscious Americans should heed. The elements of its “Life’s Simple Seven” list are:

Manage Blood Pressure: When your blood pressure stays within healthy ranges, you reduce the strain on your heart, arteries, and kidneys which keeps you healthier longer.

Control cholesterol: Lowing cholesterol levels greatly reduces the risk of clogged arteries, a condition that invites heart attacks and strokes.

Reduce blood sugar: High levels of glucose damage hearts, kidneys, eyes and nerves.

Get active: Daily physical activity increases the length and quality of life.

Eat better: AHA says eating a heart-healthy diet reduces cardiovascular disorders and lengthens life.

Lose weight: Reducing extra pounds reduces burdens on the heart, lungs and blood vessels.

Stop Smoking: Smokers have a much higher risk of heart disease.

Taking those seven strategies to heart will help AHA reach its ambitious 2020 goals. Show your support for those goals and the overall mission of the heart association by signing up today to take part in the Mahoning Valley Heart Walk next Saturday. You can do so easily enough by contacting the Youngstown Metro Chapter of the AHA in Boardman or by registering at the walk’s website, heart.org/mahoningvalleywalk.