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St. Mary's Parish Nurse Ministry Program
Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN
| St. Mary's Parish Nurse Newsletter... February, 2004 |
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Dear Viewers, Peace be to you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones"(Proverb 17:22). The month of February recognizes Ash Wednesday as the beginning of Lent, St. Valentine's Day and National Heart Month. This month let us focus on women and heart disease. The number ONE killer of women in the United States is heart disease, also known as coronary heart disease according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). |
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The NIH also states this disease can start early in life even as a
teenager. It never stops developing unless treated. So, one in three
American women dies of heart disease each year (NIH). "Commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass"(Psalm 37:5). Some of the risk factors for heart disease are: smoking, less physical activity as a woman ages, presence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, over weight/obesity, diabetes, family history of heart problems, and age especially 55 and older(NIH). Many of these risk factors can be changed by women who understand that they can be prevented and controlled. "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established"(Proverbs 16:3). Women need to take the risk of heart disease to heart and personally make the change in lifestyle. When knowing and understanding the risk factors then a woman can take action and stop smoking, develop a physical activity regimen, see your health care provider for a blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes check, be attentive to your care of diabetes, eat healthy foods, and if over weight consult a dietitian or other health care provider. The NIH states women can lower their risk for heart disease by 82 percent by changing their life style. HAPPY HEART MONTH | |
| Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN 789 N. Central Richland Center, WI 53581 608-647-3280 e-mail: rew@mwt.net |
Copyright © 2001-2007. Revised January 31, 2004. |
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