Healthy Living

Knowing your cholesterol levels and if they are too high doing something about them can limit the risk for developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease and stroke are America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and along with all other cardiovascular diseases they claim nearly 870,000 lives a year.

Cholesterol is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There are different types of cholesterol that can be measured by a blood test, and if needed treatment can include diet, exercise and medications.

Learn more about controlling your cholesterol at the Enjoy LIFE (Lifelong Investment in Fitness and Exercise) program this month.

Cardiologist Dr. Michael Fucci of Cardiology Associates in Norwich and at the Plainfield Backus Health Center will present “Healthy Hearts and Cholesterol: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Plainfield Recreation Center.

The event is part of the ongoing Enjoy LIFE series, a partnership between Backus Hospital and the Plainfield Recreation Department to improve the health of eastern Connecticut residents.

Another upcoming event related to heart disease is the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk on Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic. People can get exercise while also raising awareness and money for research.

In addition to the walk, the event includes a health fair, free screenings from the Backus Mobile Health Resource Center, free lunch and entertainment. Participants can choose between a 2-mile or a 5-kilometer walking route.

To sign up to walk on the Backus Hospital team, call Shawn Mawhiney, Director of Communications at Backus, at 889-8331, ext. 2312 or e-mail him at smawhiney@wwbh.org.

By participating in either one of these events, you can help in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator with the The William W. Backus Hospital Education Department. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org