Mega Doctor News
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States over the age of 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with one person dying every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
Unfortunately, the prevalence of heart disease increases with age. Currently, more than 14% of adults aged 65 to 74 are diagnosed with heart disease, per the CDC, with more than 24% of adults 75 and older also reportingcardiovascular issues.
By 2050, more than 61% of adults will have some type of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. These include a range of conditions that affect the heart like blood vessel disease, irregular heartbeats, disease of the heart muscle and heart valve disease.
Regrettably, a person may not be diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease until they have suffered a heart attack, angina, a stroke or heart failure. The eight key health factors and behaviors that increase risks for heart disease and stroke, per the American Heart Association, include smoking, physical inactivity, nutrition, obesity, cholesterol, sleep, diabetes and high blood pressure.
The key to preventing heart disease is taking immediate action to improve your overall well-being and prioritizing your health through a variety of preventative measures, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and exercise.
So, to help Rio Grande Valley seniors and their caregivers take positive steps toward taking charge of their health or the health of their loved ones and prevent, treat and beat heart disease, South Texas Health System and Prominence Health are partnering to host the Beat It! Heart Disease Symposium, a free symposium on Friday, September 20 at the South Texas College Nursing and Allied Health Campus.
“It’s never too early or too late to prioritize your health, especially when it comes to beating heart disease, the leading cause of death in people over 65, per the CDC,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “A major cause of disability, heart disease can limit activity and erode quality of life for older people. That’s why maintaining heart health should be a priority in your 60s and beyond by exercising regularly, eating well and avoiding smoking and drinking. This Beat It! Symposium will provide attendees with the tools they’ll need to prioritize their heart health.”
Taking place in Building B at the campus located at 1901 S. McColl Rd. in McAllen, the symposium will feature heart disease education seminars led by physicians and healthcare professionals, as well as heart healthy exercise and cooking ideas, no-cost health checks and screenings, an information and resource fair and more.
The symposium will give local seniors an opportunity to become better educated about heart disease and its impact on their overall health and well-being while learning ways to prioritize overall health and prevent cardiovascular issues.
For more information on the Beat It! Heart Symposium, contact Veronica Galligan at 956-821-9569 or by email at Veronica.Galligan@uhsinc.com.
| Who: | South Texas Health System & Prominence Health |
| What: | Beat It! Heart Disease Symposium |
| When: | Friday, September 20, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. |
| Where: | South Texas Health College Nursing & Allied Health Campus Building B 1901 S. McColl Rd. McAllen, TX 78503 |
