PIERRE, (KCCR) — February is American Heart Month and Avera Health is using the month to create awareness about heart disease. Avera Medical Group Chief Medical Officer Mara Hermiston says heart disease is the leading killer in America. Nearly half of Americans have at least one of three key factors putting a person at risk for heart disease. Those factors include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking. Uncontrolled blood pressure is a major factor for a heart attack or stroke because constant high blood pressure can weaken heart muscles and damage blood vessels. High blood sugar can also damage vessels and nerves and higher than normal blood cholesterol can cause plaque build up that restricts blood flow, increasing the risk of stoke or heart attack. Plenty can be done to reduce your risk like a diet focused on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains with limited sodium and sugar. Other heart healthy factors include limiting saturated and trans fats, maintaining a healthy weight, cutting out smoking, exercising on most days of the week for at least a half hour and drinking less alcohol to no more than one a day for women and two a day for men.
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