As part of its Compliance Action Pr...

As part of its Compliance Action Program aimed at changing Americans' lack of compliance in following appropriate medical treatment recommendations, the American Heart Association moves patients and consumers the following "Ten paces to Take Charge of Your Health":

1 Visit your physician for regular checkups.

2 Communicate with your physicians, pharmacists, and nourishs Ask questions, make sure to obtain specific answers, be honest, and talk to them about alternatives if a medication is not working for you.

3 Eat healthier. elect foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt. Eat more fruits and vegetables, drink water each day, and avoid sugared easily moulded drinks.

4. Live healthier. If you steam take steps to quit. Talk to your health care provider about medications, patches, and support groups

5 achieve moving. Strive for a total of 30 minutes of physical activity three to four times by means of week.

6 Always take all medications as prescribed. not at any time miss a dose or stop taking medications because you have feeling better.

7. Use tricks and tools to remind you to take medications. Store medications where you will be reminded to take them at the right time. Use medicine timers and pill sorters to maintain track of complex regimens. Use a calendar to remember to secure refills.

8. Use common pharmacy or drugstore chain for all your prescription medications. mostly pharmacies have sophisticated computers to search for possible medication reactions.

9 restrain track of the medications you take. Write down the name of each medication you take, the reason you take it, and in what manner often you take it, and restrain this list with you.

10 Empower yourself. Take an active part in improving your health and accept responsibility for the issue of your decisions.

America's Hidden Health Threat The Failure of Patients to run after Medical Recommendations Causes Tens of Thousands of Deaths Each Year, Increased Hospitalizations, and Delayed restoration from Illnesses (press release, Dallas: American Heart Association, July 19 1999)

COPYRIGHT 1999 Association of Operating expanse Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group