Take Care of Your Heart - NW Personal Training

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Heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women, yet many people don’t think about it until they are forced to think about it! The truth is that cardiovascular disease often develops quietly over decades, making prevention, awareness, and early action incredibly important. Understanding your personal risk factors is one of the most empowering things you can do for your long-term health. This message is a reminder that prevention matters.

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A helpful framework for understanding cardiovascular risk is “FLASH GLICK”, an acronym coined by Dr. Kevin Maki, former president of the National Lipid Association, to encourage a more complete view of heart health. Rather than focusing on one number to determine the risk of heart disease, it reminds us to look at the bigger picture.

FLASH GLICK

F – Family Historyyour

Genetics matter. If close relatives developed heart disease early, pay extra attention to prevention and screening.

L -Lipids

Be sure that you and your doctor review your full blood panel, examining Cholesterol levels, including LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and other advanced markers, which can provide clues about your risk for plaque buildup.

A – Age

Risk tends to rise as we get older, but the earlier you adopt healthy habits the greater the protection for the future.

S – Smoking

Smokers have significantly greater risks of developing heart disease, experiencing a heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. In fact, cigarette smoking is considered a leading preventable cause of cardiovascular disease. People who smoke have about a 2-4 times higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke compared with non-smokers.

H -Hypertension

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because damage can occur without symptoms.

G – Glucose Metabolism

Blood sugar regulation matters. Prediabetes, diabetes, and insulin resistance significantly increase cardiovascular risk.

L – Lifestyle

Your daily choices are powerful medicine. Exercise, sleep, nutrition, and stress management.

I – Inflammation

Chronic inflammation may increase risk, even when cholesterol appears normal.

C – Coagulation Factors

Blood clotting tendencies can influence stroke and heart attack risk.

K – Kidney Function

Kidney health and heart health are deeply connected.

The exciting part? Many risk factors can be reduced by adopting the following heart-healthy habits.

Heart Healthy Habits

Move your body most days of the week by increasing your daily steps

Exercise, including strength training and cardiovascular exercise

Eat more vegetables, fiber-rich foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins, and reduce sugar intake.

Prioritize sleep

Manage stress

Stop smoking

Know your metrics and track them regularly, including blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose levels, and waist circumference.

Your heart works tirelessly for you every single second of every day. Taking care of it will help you live your best life and protect your years ahead!

Yours in health & fitness,
Sherri McMillan

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