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Nashville, Ark. –
Coronary heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. Coronary heart disease is caused by narrowing of the arteries that feed the heart. When arteries become narrowed or clogged by fat and cholesterol, they cannot supply enough blood to the heart. This can result in chest pain and, if totally blocked, a heart attack. A person with coronary heart disease has a much higher risk of having a heart attack than someone without heart disease. February is national heart healthy month. There are some easy steps you can follow to keep your heart healthy not only during February, but all year long.
Begin by knowing your blood cholesterol level. It is important to know these numbers because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high reduces the risk of developing heart disease. You can find out your cholesterol numbers by having a lipoprotein profile test. Total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol protects against heart disease. HDL levels of 60 mg/dL or more help lower your risk for heart disease. A level of less than 40mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease. High levels of triglycerides in your blood can also raise heart disease risk. Triglycerides may be high if you eat too much fat and/or sugar and drink too much alcohol. Levels that are borderline high (150-199 mg/dL) or higher may need treatment.
Diet is one of the things that effects blood cholesterol. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat can make your blood cholesterol go up. Saturated fat has the biggest effect, but dietary cholesterol also matters. Changing the diet is usually the first step in treating high cholesterol. Other strategies include quitting smoking if you smoke, losing weight if you are overweight, getting regular physical activity, and medication.
For more on heart healthy eating, contact the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517 and ask for a copy of MyPlate. This is a comprehensive guide to eating healthy.
Chicken Marsala Recipe
Here is a great recipe for you to try this Valentine’s Day. It is easy to prepare and is impressive. This recipe is from the Mediterranean Diet Cooking School recipes. If you are interested in learning more about the Mediterranean Diet or participating in a cooking school, contact the Extension office.
Tip: Serve with whole wheat fettuccini noodles.
Nutrition Information per Serving: 285 calories, 33 g. protein, 8 g. fat, 2 g. saturated fat, 85 mg. cholesterol, 11 g. carbohydrates, 1 g. fiber, 236 mg. sodium, 348 mg. potassium
By Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff ChairThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff ChairU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852 (870) 845-7517 jince@uada.edu
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