Novant begins preventive-care push for heart disease, diabetes and sleep deprivation – Winston-Salem Journal

Novant Health Inc. has recently launched several community health initiatives, putting its main focus on the heart and diabetes preventive care.

The health-care system has set a goal of discussing the reality with at least 10,000 individuals within its four-state network that there can be a significant difference between a persons actual age and their heart age.

A 2015 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that three out of every four U.S. adults between the ages of 30 and 74 have a prematurely aging heart. That can signify they are at higher risk for a heart attack and/or stroke.

The CDC defines heart age as the calculated age of a persons cardiovascular system based on his or her risk factor profile. The risks include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes status and body mass index as an indicator for obesity.

The CDC report shows that heart age varies by race/ethnicity, gender, region, and other sociodemographic characteristics

For example, the CDC provided a case in which a 47-year-old woman who smokes and has a systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 142 may have a heart age of 67. If the woman quits smoking and reduces the top number to 120, she may be able to lower her heart age by 23 years.

The Novant educational initiative focuses on demonstrating that diet and lifestyle changes can dramatically lower the hearts age.

More than three in four heart attacks and strokes could be avoided or delayed if people manage or control their cardiovascular risk factors, like blood pressure, diet, exercise and smoking habits.

Novant Health is committed to raising awareness of this important issue and promoting the message that taking care of your heart and living a long, healthy life go hand in hand, said Dr. Tom Zweng, Novants chief medical officer.

Novants initiative begins with an online heart disease risk assessment that analyzes cardiovascular risk factors and offers wellness tips, recipe ideas and stress management reminders.

Knowing the factors that increase your heart age reinforces the importance of healthier living and caring for your heart, said Dr. Gary Niess, lead physician for Novants Heart & Vascular Institute.

The most effective plan of action is to regularly discuss heart health with your physician, and monitor critical health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.

Novant also is emphasizing a sleep awareness initiative to help individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression.

Lack of sleep is also responsible for a multitude of motor vehicle and machinery-related crashes every year.

When you look at the general population, self-imposed sleep deprivation is a common problem, said Dr. Lucie Lauve of Novants Winston Neurology practice.

The third initiative involves the opening of a clinic for intensive diabetes management at 1400 Westgate Center Drive Suite 130.

The clinic is open for new patients, including referrals from other providers. The clinic will provide care for patients with Type 1 diabetes, insulin-treated pregnant patients, and insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes patients with an A1C thats the measure of blood glucose greater than 9 percent. The clinic will feature specialized and expert care in diabetes and insulin management.

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Novant begins preventive-care push for heart disease, diabetes and sleep deprivation - Winston-Salem Journal