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February 26, 2015

MNHC Patients and Staff Participate in American Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. To increase awareness about risks and preventative behaviors, Mission Neighborhood Health Center proudly participated in American Heart Month. Heart disease can affect anyone and it is highly prevalent in the Latino community due to high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.[1]

Early in the day, patients were greeted with a smile and a healthy apple to begin their morning. As patients approached the table to choose an appetizing red apple, Hayley Winnighoff, AmeriCorps volunteer, provided patients with educational handouts about heart health and proper nutrition. Patients were also invited to participate in MNHC’s health education discussion about the importance of heart health that afternoon.

“Patients are excited to learn how to better take care of themselves and their families,” said Hayley.
Maria Gutierrez, MNHC’s Registered Dietitian, and Raluca Ioanid, Family Nurse Practitioner led an open discussion that invited patients to discuss their concerns and questions about heart disease. The discussion filled with staff and patient questions regarding high cholesterol, high blood pressure, exercise and proper nutrition.

Heart health is a concern for all communities. Everyone can make healthy changes to lower their risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy.

[1] https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319572.pdf

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