February 2017
February: American Heart Month Protect Your Child from E-cigarettes The use of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes has grown exponentially in recent years— especially among young adults in the United States. According to the report, E-Cigarette Use among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General, the use of ecigarettes by high school students increased by 900 percent between 2011 and 2015. The liquid used in e-cigarettes contains nicotine and other harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and carcinogens. The liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes comes in thousands of different flavors, many of which are appealing—and harmful—to children. Regardless of how it is consumed, nicotine is a highly addictive drug and has clear neurotoxic effects, especially on developing brains. Unfortunately, many young adults do not realize the harmful side effects of e-cigarettes. Do your part to explain to your teen that an ecigarette is just as deadly and addictive as a normal cigarette. For more information, visit https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, causing about 610,000 deaths annually. Heart disease is also an extremely expensive disease— costing the United States about $207 billion annually in the cost of health care, medications and lost productivity. Fortunately, heart disease can often be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle and properly managing health conditions. American Heart Month, organized by the American Heart Association (AHA), is designed to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it. Some simple self-care and prevention strategies include the following:
Visit your primary care physician regularly.
Refrain from smoking.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Limit your sodium intake.
Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
Exercise regularly.
Manage your stress levels.
Limit your alcohol intake.
The AHA’s website provides a detailed list of risk factors and common symptoms of heart disease. If you are concerned about your risk of developing heart disease or would like to find out more information about the condition, visit the AHA’s site and contact your primary physician.