Feb 1, 2017 3 min read

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

In February, the focus is on heart health. It’s the month that the American Heart Association puts the spotlight on raising awareness for cardiovascular disease. We spoke with Dr. John P. Girod, D.O., about cardiovascular health, risk factors and ways to decrease them. Dr. Girod specializes in cardiology and practices with South Hills Cardiology Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services. He earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Do you have any statistics on the number of Americans diagnosed with cardiovascular disease each year? How are those numbers different from 10 years ago? 50 years ago?

The incidence of cardiovascular disease increases with age. For men below age 65, it is 12 per 1,000 individuals and in woman under 65, it is five per 1,000. Over 65, it doubles in men and triples in women. The incidence of heart disease has steadily declined by 20 percent over the last 50 years. Furthermore, the mortality rate since the late 1960s has been cut in half.

To what can we attribute that change?

The decrease in heart disease and improved survival is related to decline in smoking, improved blood pressure and cholesterol control, improved treatment with bypass surgery and stent procedures for people having heart attacks.

Are there any regular screenings that adults of a certain age should get, even if they live healthy lifestyles?

Screening for high blood pressure, along with blood tests to screen for high cholesterol and diabetes are appropriate for all adults.

What are the cardiovascular risk factors of being overweight?

Obesity increases risk of heart disease. It is now understood that intra-abdominal fat is metabolically active in a way that impairs the body’s ability to use insulin for blood sugar control and also leads to higher blood pressure.

What changes can one make, and how quickly will their risks be reduced?

Diet and exercise are very important for heart health, and eating a plant-based diet can improve weight and blood cholesterol just in a couple months. By stopping smoking, the risk of heart attack drops by half in one year.

What is something that people often don’t think about when it comes to cardiovascular health or heart disease?

People should understand that our genes do not control our destiny in terms of risk of heart disease. A strong family history of heart disease can be mitigated by a healthy lifestyle.

Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know about cardiovascular health or heart disease?

You are what you eat. A plant-based diet high in fruit, vegetables, grains and nuts and avoidance of processed food and red meat is, in my opinion, an important first step to heart health. n

Dr. Girod can be reached at 412-942-7900.