• COVID-19 Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Promotions
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • July 6, 2025

Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper

"THE NEWSPAPER YOU CAN TRUST SINCE 1964"

  • News
  • Editorials
  • Education
  • Urban Business
  • Health
  • Religion
  • Upcoming Events
  • Classifieds
EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED, THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MILWAUKEE COURIER

Share:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

How Healthy Is Your Heart?

February 2, 2019

By Representative LaKeshia N. Myers

Representative LaKeshia Myers

The month of February is notable for many things: President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Black History Month. But did you know it was also heart health awareness month? According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer for all Americans, and stroke is also a leading cause of death. In 2015, thirty-four percent (15,892) of all Wisconsin deaths were due to cardiovascular disease.

This included 7,608 deaths due to coronary (ischemic) heart disease, 1,440 deaths due to congestive heart failure, and 2,952 deaths due to stroke (Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2019).

While these statistics may seem abysmal, all is not lost. Wisconsinites can decrease their chance of having a cardiovascular disorder by understanding the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, are the most common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Consistently monitoring your blood pressure can be helpful in identifying hypertension (high blood pressure). Because we oftentimes do not monitor our blood pressure, we can be at greater risk for cardiovascular challenges. Heart attacks and strokes are often called “silent killers” because their symptoms are easily missed by patients. Therefore, consistent blood pressure monitoring and communication with your doctor can help reduce risk.

Other key indicators of heart attack and stroke are obesity and diabetes. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, seventy-seven percent of men and sixty-two percent of women living in the state of Wisconsin are obese. The American Heart Association recommends eating a diet rich with vegetables. Limiting red meat (beef) and opting for leaner meats (turkey and fish); and using fresh vegetables versus canned vegetables are often a better option for families as canned vegetables often contain a higher sodium content. If you are like me, and are constantly on the go—cooking may not always be an option. I often prepare my food using a crockpot, cooking meals at night or while I am away. If you must have a meal at a fast food restaurant, I suggest opting for a healthier option like salad or a vegetable soup.

Exercise is also paramount to having a healthy heart. The AHA recommends every American engage in at least thirty minutes of physical activity each day. This can include brisk walks, bike riding, jogging, and line dancing, etc. If you prefer to exercise in a group setting, please check consider the F.E.A.R. (Social X MKE) running collective, Martin Luther King Center soul cycling class, and the Mind, Body, Soul line dancing classes held at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center. These are all fun ways to get physical and keep your heart in shape. Together, we can do better to ensure all Wisconsin families are heart healthy.

Share:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Popular Interests In This Article: LaKeshia N. Myers

Read More - Related Articles

  • The Echo of History: Douglass’s Question Resonates in Trump’s America
  • Erasing Our Heroes: The Shameful Attack on Medgar Evers’ Legacy
  • Give Students a Voice: State Law Is Necessary to Expedite Student Board Membership
  • Reclaiming the Road: Black Joy and the Legacy of Safe Haven Travel
  • A Betrayal of Trust: Governor Moore’s Reparations Veto Shows Politics Over Progress
Become Our Fan On Facebook
Find Us On Facebook


Follow Us On X
Follow Us On X

Editorials

Lakeshia Myers
Michelle Bryant
Dr. Kweku Akyirefi Amoasi formerly known as Dr. Ramel Smith

Journalists

Karen Stokes

Topics

Health Care & Wellness
Climate Change
Upcoming Events
Obituaries
Milwaukee NAACP

Politicians

David Crowley
Cavalier Johnson
Marcelia Nicholson
Governor Tony Evers
President Joe Biden
Vice President Kamala Harris
Former President Barack Obama
Gwen Moore
Milele A. Coggs
Spencer Coggs

Classifieds

Job Openings
Bid Requests
Req Proposals
Req Quotations
Apts For Rent

Contact Us

Milwaukee Courier
2003 W. Capitol Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53206
Ph: 414.449.4860
Fax: 414.906.5383

Copyright © 2025 · Courier Communications | View Privacy Policy | Site built and maintained by Farrell Marketing Technology LLC
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.