Wellness & Support

The degree of risk for having a heart attack or contracting heart or vascular disease varies with the individual, but statistics do show that it increases with age. It is strongly urged that men and women 40 and older take steps to monitor problems and minimize risks.

Make an appointment with your primary care physician

Your first step is to make an appointment with a primary care physician at SIH for regular check-ups. He or she will help you monitor your health, along with making sure you get your cholesterol checked every five years and your fasting plasma glucose checked every three years.

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Maintain a healthy weight

Eating a heart-healthy diet could reduce your risk of heart disease. Fill your grocery cart with fruits, veggies, nuts and lean meat. Use this calculator to discover your Body Mass Index (the relationship of your height and weight). A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates that you are overweight. If you’re interested in shedding a few pounds or seeing one of our nutritionists, we can help.

Be active at least 30 minutes a day

You don’t have to sign up for a triathlon. You just want to try to get 30 minutes of exercise each day. It can be just as simple as taking a long walk after dinner, taking the stairs instead of the escalator at work or chasing your toddler around the house.

Stop smoking

People who stop smoking before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. At SIH, we can help you stop smoking.

Avoid excessive alcohol consumption

If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. Our advice? One drink per day if you’re a woman and two if you’re a man.