By Rona S. Bartelstone, LCSW, MSW, CMC, Senior Vice President of Care Management

Despite significant treatment advances in recent decades, cardiac disease remains the number-one cause of death in the United States. What makes this a serious issue and what can we do to help get it under control?

Let’s talk about prevention. We know that obesity is a major contributor to heart disease. Our increasing tendency to grab food on the run combined with our decreasing tendency to exercise is largely to blame. We live in a convenience world, and like it or not, a healthy approach to self-care takes thought and preparation. Add to this the fact that we are addicted to our automobiles and public transportation, further limiting opportunities for walking, bicycling and other healthy exercise.

Then, there’s the added stress on our hearts, bodies and minds that has come with growing concerns about our economy and our ecology. Studies show that stress increases the risk of heart disease among both men and women. In fact, as women have moved into the workplace, with multiple roles and additional stressors, their incidence of heart disease has risen almost parallel to that of men.

There are things you can do. The American Heart Association offers a simple 7-step plan to help you take a proactive approach to heart health. Here’s a quick glimpse of the plan.

• Get Active
• Eat Right
• Monitor and Manage High Blood Pressure
• Lose Weight
• Control Cholesterol
• Reduce Blood Sugar
• Stop Smoking

While you may not have the heart to follow all of these recommendations at once, studies show that any attempts to improve your health can make a difference.

Thanks to advances in medical knowledge and technology, people with heart disease are living much longer; however, they are facing more chronic cardiac issues, such as congestive heart failure (CHF). The long-term prognosis for people with CHF is generally more favorable now than it was 10 years ago, and, as is true for other chronic diseases, people with CHF today can live safely at home and enjoy quality of life with proper management, monitoring and the appropriate medical regimen.

SeniorBridge care managers identify and monitor clients at risk for CHF. They provide support and education for patients and families coping with CHF. Research shows that earlier detection and management of symptoms results in fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits as well as a better quality of life.