Department of Health encourages New Mexicans to listen to their heart
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) during this National Heart Month encourages everyone to keep the importance of your heart in mind as part of your overall health.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and New Mexico is no different,” said Dr. Laura Parajon, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Health. “Taking better care of ourselves now not only makes life better, but it can also save us heart problems and expensive medical treatments in the future.”
Health problems that increase the risk of heart disease include being overweight and having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Big changes don’t have to be made all at once to improve your heart health. Small steps will get you where you want to go:
Move more
Invite family, friends, or co-workers to join you in your efforts to be more physically active. Any movement counts. Aim for at least 2½ hours of physical activity each week, but remember, even 10 minutes of physical activity at least three times a day can make a difference.
Get healthy sleep
A good night’s sleep every night is vital to heart health. Quality sleep strengthens the immune system, improves brain functions like memory, problem solving and more. Adults should aim for an average of 7-9 hours a night. The American Heart Association offers these tips for success.
Aim for a healthy weight
If you’re overweight, even a small weight loss of 5–10 percent helps your health. You can find heart healthy recipes here.
Quit nicotine
New Mexicans can call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) for English, or 1-855-DEJELO YA (1-855-335-3569) for Spanish, to receive free coaching, nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges for registered participants. In addition, unlimited sessions with a trained Quit Coach are available via text and phone support.
Track your heart health stats, together
Keeping a log of your blood pressure, weight goals, physical activity, and if you have diabetes, your blood sugars, will help you stay on a heart-healthy track. Ask your friends or family to join you in the effort. The National Institutes of Health offers a free Heart Health Tracker form for easy tracking.
According to the DOH Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, heart disease costs New Mexico $2.5 billion in medical care. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, particularly for Hispanics and Latinos. It can also put people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
For more information on heart disease in New Mexico and prevention tips, visit New Mexico's Health Indicator Data & Statistics health topic page.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact David Morgan at 575-528-5197 (Office) or 575-649-0754 (Mobile) with your questions.
Versión en Español
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El Departamento de Salud recomienda a los nuevomexicanos a prestar atención a su corazón