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FLC Parish Health 

Snowy Trees

PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY MISSION: 

OPENING DOORS TO CHRIST BY PROMOTING THE SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF ALL MEMBERS OF FIRST LUTHERAN AND OUR COMMUNITY.

To contact Denise Gaard, Parish Nurse

call:  218-847-5656

email: denise@firstlutheranchurch.com

 

 

 

 Covid-19

Go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 for current information regarding Covid-19 guidelines, vaccines, and treatments. 

 

 

 

Image by Daniel Schludi
Parish Health Ministries

 

 

           February – American Heart Month

This is a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans.  According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing one in four deaths each year.

Research shows that stress can make us more likely to get heart disease and have a heart attack.

Risk factors, such as high blood pressure, increase your chance of developing heart disease. The more risks you have, the higher your overall risk.

February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health. Taking time to care for your heart can be challenging as you go about daily life.

Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease, including coronary heart disease, the most common type. By taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease that could lead to a heart attack. You can also improve your overall health and well-being.

Consider making one, or several, of the below lifestyle changes. Here’s how to start:

Move more

  • Get at least 2½ hours of physical activity each week—that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

  • Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Don’t chuck your goal, chunk it! Try 5, 10, or 15 minutes a few times a day. Some physical activity is better than none.

Eat healthy foods

  • A healthy diet that is low in sodium and saturated fat is key to heart disease prevention.

  • Such as eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, vegetable oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

  • Limiting foods with sugar and other sweeteners.

Aim for a healthy weight

  • Being overweight is hard on your heart. It increases your risk of having heart disease, a stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

  • Choosing heart-healthy foods and getting regular exercise will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Quit smoking

  • The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your heart and blood vessels in many ways.

  • Quitting is hard, but many people have succeeded, and you can too. Ask your family and friends for support in your effort.

Reduce stress and improve sleep

  • Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart risks.

  • Not getting enough sleep or regularly getting poor quality sleep increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions. Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep a night.

Know your numbers

  • Meet your heart health goals by keeping track of how much you exercise, your blood pressure, your cholesterol numbers—all of which can impact your heart health—and tell your doctor how you’re doing.

Mental Health Help and Suicide Prevention 

Suicidal thoughts and mental health conditions can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

  • 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.

  • Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.

  • Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.

  • 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition - but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Blood Pressure Checks
Available upon request.
FLC Parish Nurse office  




 

 

 

Health Care Directives/Advance Care Planning

  

Advance care planning is the process of making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you are unable to speak for yourself. It guides family and healthcare providers to follow your documented preferences for care.  If you have questions regarding your health care directive, call Denise at 847-5656.  Your decisions matter!  Write your health care directive today.

Medical form with stethoscope
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