In recognition of American Heart Month, LifeMasters -- a national leading provider of disease management programs and services -- encourages Americans to join the fight against heart disease by providing tips for people living with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and hypertension. Individuals can empower themselves or their loved ones to manage their heart disease by taking action.

American Heart Month shines the spotlight on heart disease, the nation's No. 1 killer of Americans for more than a decade. Overall, 70 million men and women suffer from some form of heart disease in this nation. Research shows that women do not recover as well as men after having a heart attack. About 43 percent of deaths in American women are caused by cardiovascular disease each year (National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease). The American Heart Association has identified a number of risk factors for heart disease. The more risk factors a woman has, the greater her chance of developing heart disease.

"In honor of American Heart Month one will hear a lot of information about preventing heart disease," said C. Rene Hughes, RN, MS, CV/ANP, clinical product manager at LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc. "But it is also important for those living with heart disease to know there are actions to take to better manage their chronic condition."

Hughes offers the following tips to manage heart conditions:

LifeMasters Tips to Manage Heart Disease

1. Cut the salt:

For individuals dealing with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease or hypertension, consuming foods high in sodium can lead to fluid retention and aggravation of high blood pressure. There is a clear link between the amount of salt that you eat and high blood pressure. Read the nutritional facts on package labels and ask about the ingredients of food when you eat out to avoid high amounts of fat, sugars, carbohydrates and sodium. Eating less salt is key to keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level.

2. Maintain healthy blood pressure numbers:

Monitor your blood pressure at home and discuss your blood pressure readings with your doctor to help you understand them. For people with heart disease, the recommended blood pressure is 130/80 or less. Have your doctor check your home blood pressure machine regularly to make sure it is accurate.

3. Increase movement and activity:

Lack of movement and activity combined with overeating can lead to excess weight and higher cholesterol levels, which can negatively affect your condition. At a minimum, try adding moderate activities such as walking, gardening, housework and dancing into each day for at least 30 minutes.

4. Avoid second-hand smoke:

Though some state regulations make it easy to avoid, second-hand smoke is present in many social settings. Try to stay in non-smoking areas as much as possible. Ask to be seated in non- smoking sections or take the proactive approach and request non-smoking sections at the places you visit the most. And, if your loved ones smoke, avoid being in the room with them or ask them to only smoke outdoors.

5. Take your medications as directed:

Although most people would like to manage their health without the use of medications, it is usually impossible for someone with heart disease. For most individuals, drug therapy combined with maintaining a healthy lifestyle is often key to managing their condition. Be sure to take the medications as prescribed by your doctor and ensure that your prescriptions are up-to-date.

About LifeMasters Supported SelfCare

LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc. is a leading provider of disease management programs and services that create health partnerships among individuals, their physicians and payors. Its mission is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health. The programs improve quality of care for people with chronic illnesses, reduce chronic-disease costs for payors and provide decision-support tools for physicians. LifeMasters offers programs for individuals with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension and asthma (all of which are fully accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and URAC), cancer, metabolic syndrome and musculo-skeletal pain. LifeMasters' programs are holistically focused, support co-morbidities such as depression and facilitate lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and weight loss. LifeMasters provides services to over 650,000 people throughout the nation.

Founded in 1994 by a physician, LifeMasters works with some of the nation's leading health plans, employers, retirement systems and governmental organizations, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, and Presbyterian Health Services in New Mexico. More information about LifeMasters can be found at lifemasters.

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