February 1, 2019

February is American Heart Month: Center for Healthy Living offering heart-healthy resources

Each year, February is recognized as American Heart Month. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff are encouraged to take steps to help keep their hearts healthy, and the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus can help.

According to Kimberly Porter, nurse practitioner at the Center for Healthy Living, the prevalence of heart disease is shocking and even more shocking is that a large percentage of cardiovascular disease patients could lower their risks, they simply don’t know how.

According to the American Heart Association, roughly 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, and average of one death every 38 seconds. Globally, cardiovascular disease -- including stroke and heart disease -- remains the leading cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year. The American Heart Association expects that number to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

Most of us, unfortunately, know someone who has been or is affected by heart disease and/or stroke,” Porter says. “Fortunately, there are ways to improve heart heath and lower your risks of heart disease, and the changes required to do so really are not that hard to make.”

Porter recommends the following changes to daily lifestyle as starting points to better heart health:

* Get your physical and biometrics.
* Add physical activity to your days -- even a 10-minute walk will help.
* Eat your fruits and vegetables.
* Limit your sodium intake.

* Cut back on high-calorie, high-fat, high-sugar foods.
* Lose excess body fat.
* Stop smoking.
* Lower stress levels.

 “All of the lifestyle changes mentioned work together to help us avoid or prevent other conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and Type 2 diabetes,” Porter says. “Each of those conditions carries with it an increased risk for heart disease. While we can’t control factors such as age or family history, we do have control in regards to the lifestyle choices we make. And having that annual physical and biometrics screening is the best way to learn your numbers and then make a plan of action based on your individual needs.”

As a reminder, the 2019 Healthy Boiler Wellness Program offers incentives of $325 (employee only) or ($650 employee + spouse, employee + child or employee + family) to those who complete their physical and biometrics screening between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2019.

CHL team of providers

Setting goals and making some lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of heart disease does not have to done alone.

The Center for Healthy Living has an experienced team of providers ready to help:

* Primary care providers: A physician and two nurse practitioners, including Porter, are able to perform annual physicals and biometrics screenings. Individuals may also establish as patients with any of the providers in order to have their primary care provider nearby at the CHL.

* Registered nurse health coaches: Health coaching provides continuous care over multiple sessions on topics such as nutrition, weight management, tobacco cessation, meditation, chronic condition management as well as finance. Individuals who meet with health coaches engage in a partnership with their health coach that motivates and encourages changes in behavior to help the individual obtain his or her health and wellness goals. For more information, review the “Questions and answers about health coaching” webpage.

* Registered dietitian: Meeting with a registered dietitian allows individuals to use the science of nutrition to improve their health. Education and diet recommendations for specific conditions or general nutrition education and guidance for a balanced diet is provided.

* Medication therapy management: The pharmacists can provide medication therapy management, which includes medication reviews, medications consultations, answering questions about drug coverage and providing assistance in regard to medication pricing.

* Employee assistance counselors: Appointments with an employee assistance counselor are available to help employees address a wide range of issues – both personal and job-related.

Regional employees and those who do not regularly work on the West Lafayette campus can use CHL’s Telephonic Wellness Programs.

Upcoming workshops 

Those interested in learning more about heart health and blood pressure importance can register to attend an upcoming workshop offering by the CHL. For details on the programs, contact the CHL at 765-494-0111.

* Be Heart Smart series
Feb. 5-26 (Tu), noon-1 p.m., Córdova Recreational Sports Center, Wellness Conference Room (Room 2236)
This program, led by Purdue Extension, is for those who want to reduce their risk of heart disease. During the workshop, you will learn how to monitor your risk factors for heart disease and make simple changes to your daily routine that will improve your heart health. In addition, you will discover what risk factors you can control, including using the DASH Eating Plan and incorporating physical activity. This program is four, one-hour lessons. It is highly encouraged that all four sessions are attended. Topics include: Know Your Risks, Know Your Numbers, Heart-Healthy Cooking and Take Action. Register on www.healthyboiler.com (registration link can be found under “Wellness Events” on the portal’s home page) or call 765-474-0793 by Feb. 4.

* Blood Pressure Basics
Feb. 19 (Tu), 12:10-12:50 p.m., Stewart Center, Room 313
Led by Cheryl Laszynski, registered nurse health coach at the Center for Healthy Living, the workshop will provide participants information on how to keep their hearts healthy and why blood pressure is such an important number to track. Register on www.healthyboiler.com (registration link can be found under “Wellness Events” on the portal’s homepage) by Feb. 18. 

More information

To stay up-to-date on all things Healthy Boiler, visit the Healthy Boiler Portal, follow the Healthy Boiler Purdue blog and follow Healthy Boiler on social media:

* Facebook
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* LinkedIn
* Twitter

Any questions on the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.


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