As of April 1, 2025, My Huntley News is no longer publishing new content but remains active for archival use. For those of you with active subscriptions, a prorated reimbursement will be sent to you no later than May 1, 2025. Refunds will be issued to the name and address listed on your subscription. My Huntley News thanks you for your support and readership, and we welcome you to visit White Silo Media's primary publication, My Sun Day News.
Subscribe Subscriber Login Staff/Contact Advertise Submissions Jobs

 

MY HUNTLEY NEWS

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY
 
News Features Sports A&E Columns Hang Your Hat Obituaries Sun City

February 7, 2023

Uncategorized • February 7, 2023

Learn about your heart health this February

By

McHENRY COUNTY — In commemoration of American Heart Month, the McHenry County Department of Health is encouraging everyone to think about their heart and prevent heart disease.

Heart disease refers to a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function.It is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though usually preventable, heart disease is sometimes silent and unforeseen until a person experiences signs of a heart attack, heart failure or an irregular heart rhythm. One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is by taking steps now to improve heart health.

There is a lot that people can do to promote personal heart health and protect against heart disease:

  • Learn about and know the status of their body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and A1C.
  • Reduce sodium intake.
  • Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their diet.
  • By physically active. A 10-minute walk after a meal can go a long way.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Manage stress.
  • Manage diabetes.

To promote personal heart health among McHenry County residents, MCDH holds wellness screenings every first Wednesday of the month to offer BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and A1C level screenings. While screenings are important, they should not be used in place of annual check-ups with a physician.

Additional services offered to all McHenry County residents include smoking cessation assistance and classes focusing on diabetes prevention and management.

McHenry County women who are enrolled in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), are between the ages of 40 and 64 and are uninsured or underinsured and qualify can take preventative steps through MCDH’s WISEWOMAN program to know their heart status and begin improving their heart health.  Those who qualify can begin their improved heart journey by receiving a lipid panel, hemoglobin A1C test, health coaching and get connected with community-based resources.

Visit www.CDC.gov/HeartDisease for more resources and information about heart disease.  Call the MCDH Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Program at (815) 334-0232 to learn more about the programs MCDH offers to support heart health.