Mending Hearts
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Heart-healthy habits need to begin early and be adopted for a lifetime. Southcoast protects the region's hearts through:
- Feeling Fit an exercise and education program designed for residents who may have one or more risk factors for heart disease. This "heart healthy" club located at a Southcoast site in Somerset provides supervised exercise, education and health screenings along with a different type of medical prescription; fun activities including social outings and cooking demonstrations.
- Change of Heart a regional education program that is the result of collaboration by Southcoast, other health providers and community members. The program provides education about heart disease prevention and offers discounts on heart healthy food, fitness and other products through a number of local merchants.
- Tar Wars presented by Southcoast physicians, helps local students understand the health dangers of smoking, a major risk factor for heart disease.
Did you know ...
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Cardiovascular disease in the United States kills more Americans than the next seven causes of death combined (this includes cancer, accidents, pneumonia, influenza, AIDS, diabetes and suicide).
Cholesterol
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High blood cholesterol levels are a major risk for heart disease - but also one that can be controlled.
- There are two kinds of cholesterol Ð HDL or "good cholesterol" actually can help you fight heart disease.
- Your HDL level should be GREATER than 35 mg/dL (measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood).
- LDL or "bad cholesterol" is bad for your arteries. Your LDL level should be LESS than 130mg/dL.
- Together, they make up your total blood cholesterol level.
Ask your doctor about regular cholesterol screenings.
You can also have your cholesterol checked at the Southcoast Mobile Health Van which regularly makes trips to shopping plazas and other convenient sites throughout the South Coast area. For the van schedule, call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 800-497-1727.
About cholesterol:
