Doctors say most heart disease is preventable_美文

Doctors say most heart disease is preventable

"Your weight, your blood cholesterol, blood sugar and your blood pressure are important numbers that can help you take action and reduce your risk," she said.

She says a healthy lifestyle can prevent heart disease.

"And the steps to take are simple: don’t smoke, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, know your numbers and talk to your physician and control these risks," she said.

African-Americans are at higher-than-average risk for heart disease and stroke, according to Dr. Michelle Magee.

"There’s a very high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and also unrecognized hypertension so people don’t even know they have it, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke," she said.

In the nation’s capital, Medstar Washington Hospital Center is trying to reach this population - like at this opening of an outreach program at a Washington barber shop. Neighborhood barbers develop relationships with their clients. With the right training, they can play an important role in community health....for example helping their clients monitor their blood pressure.

These programs operate on the premise that if people realize they are at risk for heart disease, they’ll make lifestyle changes: lose weight, exercise, eat the right foods and keep in touch with a doctor.