By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Michelle Long, executive director of Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, speaks with Kim Bradberry, director of Practice Operations Self Medical Group Administration.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0007.jpgMichelle Long, executive director of Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, speaks with Kim Bradberry, director of Practice Operations Self Medical Group Administration. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Mayor Foster Senn speaking with employees of Self Medical Group after the Chamber breakfast.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0009.jpgMayor Foster Senn speaking with employees of Self Medical Group after the Chamber breakfast. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — In the Untied States 35 percent of people are killed due to heart disease and eight percent by a stroke. If you combine those percentages, that is almost half the deaths in the nation, said Dr. Claudio Guareschi, director of cardiothoracic surgery with Self Medical Group.

During the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly breakfast, Guareschi presented information on heart disease and what people can do to prevent it.

In the United States there are 158 deaths caused by heart disease and strokes per 100,000 people. South Carolina has 158 per 100,000, but Newberry County’s number is 193 per 100,000 people.

“What are the risk factors for this disease? There are risk factors you cannot help, but there are risk factors you can help, risk factors you can do a lot about,” Guareschi said.

Some risk factors people cannot control include age, family history, race and gender. Guareschi suggests that people do not worry about the factors they cannot control, and focus on the ones they can. Some risk factors that people can control include alcohol consumption, diabetes, smoking and diet.

“The percentage of heart disease and stroke that can be preventable is 80 percent,” Guareschi said. “Focus on the things you can change, you can have a significant impact. The problem, it is not easy.”

Some of the ways people can make an impact include knowing your numbers, maintaining healthy weight, staying physically active, managing stress, not smoking, not drinking alcohol excessively and eating heart healthy.

When it comes to knowing your numbers, people should keep up with their cholesterol (both the good and the bad), triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar. Your cholesterol should be under 200, HDL should be 60 or higher and LDL under 100 MG/DL.

“Your HDL should be as high as possible,” Guareschi said.

Triglycerides should be under 150, blood pressure more or less 120/80 and blood sugar should be less than 100 MG/DL.

A healthy weight would be a body mass index of 18.5 to 24.9, Guareschi says anything over that is overweight. He suggests if you are overweight you should take action today, not tomorrow.

Physical activity, which can help with weight loss, is also a way to affect heart disease. A recommendation is to do a moderate to intense cardio workout for 30 minutes five days a week. However, Guareschi says do not start out with a work out you are not used to, but take it slow.

“I suggest start with a nice walk, a 45 minute walk, and take it a step further each day,” he said.

Being physically active can also lower blood pressure. People who exercise tend to smoke less, lower the risk of diabetes and lower your body weight.

Stress can also cause emotional, psychological and physical problems. Guareschi suggest identifying and avoiding hassles and minor irritations and continue doing things you like.

“Try to carve your own personal time, and try to do the things you like,” he said.

Guareschi says if you smoke, stop and if you drink alcohol, limit it to one drink a day for women, and two drinks a day for men.

“Eating heart healthy, this is not a diet it is more of a change of lifestyle,” Guareschi said.

Ways you can eat heart healthy include eating breakfast and having regular mealtimes, looking for low fat alternatives, drinking enough fluids (not soda), limiting carbohydrates, eating slowly and having portion control.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.