Health Department urges residents to get smart about their heart

Published on February 05, 2024

February is American Heart Month, and the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, (WCDPHE) is encouraging county residents to get smart about their hearts and learn how to reduce risks and make informed decisions to protect their hearts and keep them strong.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes are all factors that increase the risk for heart disease. In Weld County, the rates of diabetes and high cholesterol have risen since 2019. In the 2022 Community Health Survey, 29% of residents reported they have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and 65% of adults and 29% of children are overweight or obese.

Nationwide, one in five deaths is due to heart disease, even though the disease is largely preventable. “You have the power to take action to protect yourself against heart disease,” said Eric Aakko, Director of Health Education, Communication, and Planning. “Small, heart-healthy actions, like adding more movement to our day or choosing healthy foods, can have a big impact on protecting our hearts.”

Keeping your heart healthy starts with living a heart-healthy lifestyle. It's easier than you think to show your heart the love it deserves each day. Small acts of self-care like taking walks, getting quality sleep, and cooking healthy meals can help your heart. Research shows that self-care can help you keep your blood pressure within a healthy range and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

WCDPHE will be hosting a free public health screening for American Heart Month on Saturday, February 10 at the Evans Recreation Center. The screenings will check blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels as well as body mass index (BMI). For more information, visit https://www.weld.gov/go/HEAL.