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wellness
KFHC office address: 5701 Truxtun Ave., No. 201, Bakersfield, CA 93309
2
family
health
Women:
5 ways to fight
stroke risk
It may not be fair, but it’s true.
Being a woman means you have
a higher risk of stroke than the
average man has. In fact, stroke is
the third leading cause of death in
women.
That’s why health experts urge
women to take steps to lower their
risk of stroke. You can start with
these five actions:
1.
Control high blood
pressure.
Starting at age 20,
have your blood pressure checked
at least every two years. Also have
it checked before starting birth
control pills. The pill raises your
risk of stroke.
2.
Don’t smoke.
Smoking
raises stroke risk for men too. It’s
especially dangerous for women
who take birth control pills or who
have migraines with aura.
3.
Keep the beat.
If you’re over
75, be screened for atrial fibrillation.
That’s a heart rhythm problem that’s
a risk factor for stroke.
4.
Stay fit.
Exercise and a healthy
diet are key for preventing strokes.
5.
Work with your health care
provider.
Regular visits with your
provider can help you know your
risks and what to do about them.
Sources: American Heart Association; American Stroke Association
Quit smoking for life!
A
re you ready to quit
smoking? You can sign up
for a new program called
Freedom From Smoking. Once
enrolled, you will learn how to
create a personalized plan to quit
smoking so that you can enjoy
better health. Here are some
highlights of this program:
Meetings are held in a small
group setting.
It is a fun, interactive learning
environment.
You will receive a workbook and
other helpful materials.
Topics include:
Medications to help you quit.
Lifestyle changes to help you
quit.
How to prepare for quit day.
Ways to manage your stress.
How to reach a healthy weight.
Ways to build a new lifestyle.
Tips to help you stay tobacco-
free.
Quitting is hard. at’s why we
are here to help!
Kern Family Health Care (KFHC)
o ers free individual, group
and telephone counseling to all
members who need help quitting
smoking. By taking advantage of
this bene t, you can learn how to
deal with smoking triggers and the
bene ts of living a smoke-free life.
KFHC also covers tobacco cessation
aids without a doctor’s approval.
To sign up, call us at
661-632-1590
(Bakers eld) or
800-391-2000
(outside Bakers eld)
and ask for the Health Education
Department.