The new community health centre at Thompson Rivers University is not only a free and handy place to visit with Nurse Practitioner Sandi Lachappelle, but now provides a monthly newsletter on health tips.
The clinic’s second newsletter is now available at the clinic and on their new Facebook site.
The letter is researched and assembled by Lachappelle and nursing students at TRU as part of their practical work.
The information provided here with the clinic’s permission.
Are you heart healthy?
February is heart month.
Are you heart healthy?
“Today, heart disease and stroke take one life every seven minutes and 90 per cent of Canadians have at least one risk factor.” (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2014).
The following increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke:
• Being a Diabetic. This is another topic, but if you are already diabetic, the most important thing you can do is make sure your blood sugar is well-controlled. Talk to your primary care provider about this.
• Having high blood pressure. People of all ages should check their blood pressure regularly, and if it’s consistently high (140/90, have it treated).
• Smoking, No one should smoke. Period. If you need help with this, come talk to the NP or your primary care provider.
• Obesity. Particularly if you carry extra weight around your abdomen. This puts you at higher risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.
How you can prevent the risk of heart attack or stoke.
• Eat more vegetables than anything else! Vegetables and healthy proteins should make up the bulk of your daily diet.
• Switch out animal proteins for legumes such as chick peas and kidney beans once a week.
These are great sources of fibre and will help to lower your LDL cholesterol.
• Don’t avoid eggs. Eggs are a good source of protein, and really don’t increase your cholesterol, despite some of the confusing media out there.
• When you eat grains, always choose multigrain, and in particular oat bran, which helps lower that LDL cholesterol.
• Choose healthy fats. Everyone needs fat in their diet, and if you eat more fish, nuts, and vegetables fats such as avocados and olive oils, you’ll increase your HDL cholesterol, which is protective.
Limit your alcohol intake to 1-2 drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women.
More than that can lead to an increase in blood pressure.