NOT REACTIVE KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY: BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE By Katharine T. Decena, MD Cardiologist Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute "There is no earliest time to pay attention to your risk factors," she said. She added that if you have a history of high cholesterol in your family, your doctor should begin monitoring your levels when you are 20 years old. Dr. Decena, who practices in Norwich, said a healthy life- style can help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range. Preventing high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. The goal is a pressure of no higher than 130/80. "There are so many tools and so much technology available to us now, when we have the data and the knowledge it is easier to be proactive." The key is to make changes that are sustainable, she said, not drastic and restrictive. "If it doesn't fit into your life, you won't do it," she noted. So making small changes, like having one meat-free meal a week to start, is a good strat- Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. egy. Dr. Decena is accepting new patients at 111 Salem Turmpike, Norwich. (860)886.0023 Decena also stressed that it is important for a person's overall health - as well as their heart health - to schedule regular check-ups with their primary care provider, and to report any new or unusual symptoms. Total cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl are healthy for adults. Doctors treat readings of 200-239 mg/dl as border- line high, and readings of at least 240 mg/di as high. The prescription is, eat a healthy diet, exercise, don't It's never too late to start taking care of your heart health. But cardiologist Dr. Katharine Decena says that it is also never too early. smoke, maintain a healthy weight, and limit alcohol, Decena said. "During the pandemic, our behaviors changed, and people were reluctant to see their doctor or schedule tests," she noted. On top of that many people were experiencing anxiety, stress and depression, which can affect heart and overalí health. "If you have a family history of hypertension, high choles- terol, or heart disease, it is never too soon to start paying attention to your diet and lifestyle," she said. A family history includes anyone in your immediate family who is diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, or has had a cardiac event like a heart attack under the age of 60. To learn more about the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute, visit hartfordhealthcare.org/heart. "Any symptom that is new to you, call your doctor," she said. "We have lots of channels available now, and with tele- health you can start there and then determine next steps. Don't ignore symptoms." Hartford HealthCare NOT REACTIVE KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY: BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE By Katharine T. Decena, MD Cardiologist Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute "There is no earliest time to pay attention to your risk factors," she said. She added that if you have a history of high cholesterol in your family, your doctor should begin monitoring your levels when you are 20 years old. Dr. Decena, who practices in Norwich, said a healthy life- style can help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range. Preventing high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. The goal is a pressure of no higher than 130/80. "There are so many tools and so much technology available to us now, when we have the data and the knowledge it is easier to be proactive." The key is to make changes that are sustainable, she said, not drastic and restrictive. "If it doesn't fit into your life, you won't do it," she noted. So making small changes, like having one meat-free meal a week to start, is a good strat- Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. egy. Dr. Decena is accepting new patients at 111 Salem Turmpike, Norwich. (860)886.0023 Decena also stressed that it is important for a person's overall health - as well as their heart health - to schedule regular check-ups with their primary care provider, and to report any new or unusual symptoms. Total cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl are healthy for adults. Doctors treat readings of 200-239 mg/dl as border- line high, and readings of at least 240 mg/di as high. The prescription is, eat a healthy diet, exercise, don't It's never too late to start taking care of your heart health. But cardiologist Dr. Katharine Decena says that it is also never too early. smoke, maintain a healthy weight, and limit alcohol, Decena said. "During the pandemic, our behaviors changed, and people were reluctant to see their doctor or schedule tests," she noted. On top of that many people were experiencing anxiety, stress and depression, which can affect heart and overalí health. "If you have a family history of hypertension, high choles- terol, or heart disease, it is never too soon to start paying attention to your diet and lifestyle," she said. A family history includes anyone in your immediate family who is diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, or has had a cardiac event like a heart attack under the age of 60. To learn more about the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute, visit hartfordhealthcare.org/heart. "Any symptom that is new to you, call your doctor," she said. "We have lots of channels available now, and with tele- health you can start there and then determine next steps. Don't ignore symptoms." Hartford HealthCare