Many people focus on blood pressure or cholesterol when thinking about heart health, but experts say the connection between heart and brain health is also important. Risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are linked to brain-related conditions including stroke and dementia.
“Simply put: a healthier heart supports a healthier brain,” according to a recent statement from Community Health Centers.
Protecting heart health does not require perfection, but rather consistent healthy habits. These include eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking or vaping, maintaining a healthy weight, monitoring blood sugar and cholesterol levels, scheduling regular checkups with healthcare providers, learning hands-only CPR, managing stress, and allowing time for mental rest.
Community Health Centers across the country are working to help patients manage their heart health. In 2024 alone:
– 6.17 million Community Health Center patients received care for hypertension.
– 67% of those patients kept their blood pressure under control.
– 78% of high-risk patients were prescribed or taking statin therapy.
– 74% of adults with heart disease or related procedures were receiving recommended antiplatelet therapy.
“These numbers tell a powerful story. Community Health Centers don’t just treat heart disease—they work to prevent it, manage it, and reduce the risk of future cardiac events so patients can live longer, healthier lives.”
American Heart Month serves as an opportunity for individuals to review their own health routines and reconnect with care teams.
Nevada Health Centers is one example of an organization providing comprehensive healthcare services in Nevada. As noted on its official website, this nonprofit operates multiple centers in both urban and rural areas across the state. It offers medical, dental, behavioral health services as well as pharmacy and women’s healthcare programs through facilities and mobile units. The organization supports community initiatives such as school-based programs and screenings while assisting all residents regardless of ability to pay by using sliding fee scales.
The organization further extends its reach through mobile services like the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program [source]. Nevada Health Centers is designated as a federally qualified health center [source] focused on providing access to quality primary care for all Nevadans since its founding in 1977 [source].
For more information about how cardiovascular health impacts both the heart and brain—and tips for prevention—resources are available at https://ow.ly/sYv550QrPCH.
