“7 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease” 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 20 People Inc. Conference Center 205 S. J.T. Stites St., Sallisaw Free! Everyone welcome!

For more info, 918-235-1029

February is Heart Health Month, and there’s no better time to learn how to prevent, reverse and treat heart disease.

That’s why Jeannie Richardson, BSN, PHN, RN, will present “7 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease” on Feb. 20 at the People Inc. Conference Center, 205 S. J.T. Stites Street in Sallisaw. There are two sessions for the presentation: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more than 100 every year since heart disease years 1921 has been the leading killer in America, according to the American Heart Association. And while most people assume COVID-19 was the leading cause of death in 2020, heart disease remained the nation’s leading killer. Even during that global pandemic, almost three times more people died of cardiovascular disease than from COVID- 19.

But what is even more surprising is that heart disease is completely preventable, and 90% curable by the choices we make.

Based on data supplied by the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Sequoyah County Wellness Profile 2022, cardiovascular disease in Sequoyah County claims more than 410 deaths per 100,000. The mortality rate is significant on its own, but it is almost 140% higher than the state rate (almost 300 per 100,000) and almost 240% higher than the national rate (173 per 100,000).

But there are numerous factors that can contribute to heart disease.

Smoking prevalence is a concern for Sequoyah County, where 22.4% of adults are smokers, compared to 16.9% for the state and 14.4% nationwide.

Similarly, diabetes rates are higher in Sequoyah County, where 15.4% of individuals have diabetes, compared to the state average of 12.8% and 10.9% nationwide.

Those who have high blood pressure, edema, high total cholesterol, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), diabetes, family members with cardiovascular disease or who are overweight may have heart disease or be at risk for heart disease. Richardson’s presentation will share habits that help create exceptional heart health, providing practical suggestions and encouragement to help prevent or reverse heart disease.

Information in the presentation is planned by Life4U, a non-profit organization with a mission to improve people’s quality of life through education.