Important health reminders

1. Preventing heart disease is a family affair

   High blood pressure is a big factor in heart disease. Adults, teens and even children can have high blood pressure. To help prevent heart disease at any age, blood pressure should be 130/80 mm HG or lower and cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. Eating more fruits and vegetables, enjoying activities together and not smoking are steps families can take to stay healthy.
   
   Learn more about heart disease risk factors, including metabolic syndrome.

2. An asthma action plan for all ages

   If you have asthma, your doctor can help Ask your doctor for an asthma action plan just for you and your kids. The action plans will help you:
   • Recognize early warning signs
   • Know when to take medicines
   • Know when to call the doctor or go to the ER
   To control your asthma, take your long-term control medicines even when you feel better. Take your quick-relief medicines only when needed. Learn more about managing asthma.

3. Know your family’s risks for cancer

   It’s important to know if your family is at risk for these common cancers and when your family needs cancer screenings.
   
   Breast cancer
   If your family has a history of breast cancer, ask your doctor when to begin screenings. Most women need a mammogram by age 40. It can detect changes in your breasts long before you can see or feel anything. Remember, you can get breast cancer even if there’s no family history.
   
   Find mammography locations near you, and view tips to reduce your risk, available tests and treatment options.
   Keywords: breast cancer
   
   Cervical cancer
   Did you know cervical cancer occurs among women who are never or rarely screened? Cervical cancer is often preventable if you get a routine Pap test. This test finds abnormal cells on the cervix and can often be treated before cancer develops.
   
   Learn more about risk factors, Pap test frequency and treatment options.
   Colon cancer
   People ages 50+ are more likely to get colon cancer. Often there are no symptoms. If you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, your doctor may start screens earlier. If caught early, the survival rate is 90%. A colonoscopy is the best option because it looks at your entire colon.
   
   Learn more about colorectal cancer prevention. 

4. A healthy pregnancy: We can help

   Our resources below can help you get started and stay on track.
   
   Reproductive life plan
   Have you set personal goals for having children? Get ideas on how you will achieve your goals.
   
   Preconception
   Every woman of child-bearing age should take a vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid to prevent brain and spinal cord birth defects. Even if you’re not planning a pregnancy you should take the vitamin because 50% are unplanned. Are you ready physically and emotionally? 
   
   Learn more about staying healthy and preventing low-birth-weight babies and birth defects.
   
   Pregnancy
   See your doctor during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy so that you can be enrolled in our HealthyEncounters^SM Maternity program. You’ll receive an educational packet with information on:
   • Pregnancy
   • Labor and delivery
   • Postpartum checkup (four weeks after delivery)
   • Well-child visits for your baby
   • Quitting smoking
   • Many more topics for new mothers
   
   You may also receive home care services from a nurse after your baby is born if you choose the minimum stay at the hospital. These services include a phone assessment and a home visit. Learn more now.
   
   Postpartum care
   Visit your doctor 4 - 6 weeks after you deliver for a postpartum checkup. Your doctor will make sure you’re back to full health and breastfeeding is going well. Your doctor will also talk to you about birth control options and check for signs of postpartum depression.
   
   Learn more about postpartum care. You can also call our Behavioral Health department at 800 673-8043 for additional post-partum depression information. All calls are confidential.
    

5. Look after your family’s health

   Your children’s health is as important as your own. Don’t forget to schedule their doctor appointments.
   
   Chlamydia screenings
   Know the facts about this sexually transmitted infection. Visit priorityhealth.com to:
   • Learn why it’s important for sexually active women ages 16 to 25 to be tested
   • Learn why parents need to be prepared talk with their teens
   • Get information about testing
   Learn more about chlamydia risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention.

Learn More

See if you're at risk
Find health risk questions for your whole family. The questions deal with things like body mass index (BMI), diabetes, alcohol abuse, heart disease, lead poisoning, depression and cancer. Show your doctor the results and create an action plan for staying healthy.

Take Action

Check out our Preventive Health Care Guidelines
Are you up-to-date on Priority Health’s recommended checkups, screenings and immunizations? Read our Preventive Health Care Guidelines. Call your doctor if you have questions.

Topics: Preventive care, Health disease, Asthma, Womens health, Pregnancy, Children's health