5 tips to prevent heart disease

February is National Heart Month. Heart disease, the number one killer of adult men and women in the United States, includes coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and congenital heart disease. Despite its prevalence, there are ways to reduce the risk for heart disease. In fact, the best defense against heart disease is a commitment to a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Take these steps to help prevent heart disease:

Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to become healthier and reduce the risk for heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, all it takes is 30 minutes a day, five days a week to reap the positive benefits of exercise for the heart.

Don’t smoke or use tobacco
Tobacco negatively impacts every organ in the body, but it is particularly harmful for the cardiovascular system. The chemicals in tobacco smoke increase the risk of atherosclerosis and can damage the heart. For people struggling to quit, Penn’s Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Program can help them curb the habit safely and comfortably.

Eat right
Maintaining a healthy diet is easier said than done for most people, but it is crucial for a healthy heart. Eating properly protects the heart from disease, controls blood pressure and prevents type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity is an epidemic in this country with more than one third of adults qualifying as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity is linked to many diseases including heart disease. For people who cannot manage their weight through exercise and diet, weight loss surgery may be a good option. Learn more about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program, which offers multidisciplinary care and the latest surgical procedures to help patients reach and maintain their weight loss goals.

Get regular health screenings
Regular health screenings are important to identify potential health issues before they become problematic. For many conditions, early detection improves the chances for more effective treatment or even a cure. The CDC recommends several suggested health checkups.

• View heart healthy events presented by Penn Heart and Vascular 
• Learn about your risk for cardiovascular disease
• American Heart Association's Seven Simple Steps to a Healthy Heart Program

Capturing a More Accurate Picture of Breast Health

It’s a revolutionary way to perform mammograms: combining traditional mammography with 3D technology to give a more accurate picture of breast health. It’s called digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and it’s being used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis at Penn.

DBT captures images using traditional X-ray technology moving along a small arc around the breast and recording images at different depths and angles. The images produced have  an unprecedented amount of clarity and detail, reducing the false-positives and false-negatives often associated with traditional 2D mammography. That means less unnecessary imaging, stress and fear for patients. Penn Medicine offers DBT combined with personalized, multidisciplinary care at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine for breast cancer screening.

• Read more about Digital Breast Tomosynthesis 
• Find a Penn Radiology location close to home

Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence

The loss of bladder control is a common and embarrassing problem for many women, but it’s actually very common, affecting women of all ages.

Symptoms of urinary incontinence can range from leaking urine when coughing, sneezing or exercising to the sudden urge to urinate. Some women also experience pelvic pressure, which can signal a variety of bladder or pelvic conditions and should be checked by a physician.

For women suffering with urinary continence, Penn Urogynecology offers a variety of treatment options to help them get back to living again with improved bladder control.

Read more about Penn Urogynecology and treatment options

Meet Your Weight Loss Goals in the New Year

For people struggling with excess weight, the new year is a fresh opportunity to meet their weight loss goals. There are a variety of options available, and it is important that each individual finds a weight loss solution tailored to their unique needs and provides the tools and support structure to help them succeed. For patients with morbid obesity, generally defined as being 100 pounds or more overweight, bariatric surgery may be an option.

For more than 20 years, the multidisciplinary team of bariatric specialists at the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program have provided comprehensive weight loss care, including free information sessions, personalized treatment plans and the latest, most advanced treatment options. Penn’s bariatric surgeons perform more than 700 procedures each year, making it the most active program in the greater Philadelphia region.

• Attend a free information session
• View physician video profiles
• Read tips for healthy living and weight loss

Take a Deep Breath and Quit Smoking Comfortably this Holiday Season

Smoking causes nearly one in five deaths every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, it significantly increases the risk for lung cancer, stroke and coronary heart disease. While more than 46 million American adults are smokers, approximately 70 percent want to quit.

“Smoking is more than a dirty habit,” says Frank Leone, MD, MS, director of Penn’s Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program. “Most people who smoke know the risks, but they are addicted. They expect to suffer uncomfortable side effects and they are afraid to fail. Our goal is to help them quit, but maintain a normal life and level of comfort during the process.”

Penn’s Comprehensive Smoking Treatment program is one of only 10 programs of its kind in the country. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 888-PENN-STOP (7366-7867) or 800-789-PENN (7366).

Learn more about Penn’s Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program.