Naval Health Clinic Hawaii to have heart health booth at NEX Feb. 23

Eleanor Bru, RN

Naval Health Clinic Hawaii

Simple changes to strip away the barriers to a healthy heart can lead to a healthier you.

Naval Health Clinic Hawaii Health Promotion will conduct a Heart Healthy and Great American Spit Out booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange (NEX). The clinic will provide health information, oneon-one education, blood pressure checks and body fat analysis.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and stroke is the third leading cause of death. Smoking is one of the risk factors for these cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine in the tobacco may cause the arteries to narrow, which may lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate. Also, tobacco use may increase the risk for blood clots, which could result in stroke.

According to the CDC statistics, there are 27.1 million non-institutionalized adults diagnosed with heart disease and for about 599,413 it is the cause of death. Self-care is the best way to protect your health and prevent heart disease. Assess, know and reduce your risk for: smoking, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or family history of being overweight/obese, and lack of physical activity.

Consult your healthcare provider for better health management especially when medication is necessary. High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are silent killers, so get checked. There are often no symptoms until heart attack or stroke occur.

The clinic’s health promotion classes address physical activity, tobacco use cessation, nutrition and weight management, and healthy hearts.

The nutrition and weight management class is held every first Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. and every third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. Tobacco cessation is held in four sessions for two hours once a week at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay branch clinic every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and at Makalapa clinic every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. Healthy heart class is every third Thursday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. ShipShape is a six-week program designed to make Sailors fit for service. It is held from Monday through Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at Bloch Arena.

Prospective participants are encouraged to call health promotion for class schedule and to sign up at 473-1880 ext. 2282/2285/2396.