The American Heart Association recently released new cholesterol guidelines, and the results have shed light not only on the actual numbers, but also other risk factors including race. The new guidelines found that race and ethnic backgrounds can indicate risk factors for heart disease in specific  populations. Overall, nearly one out of every three American adults has high levels of LDL cholesterol—the "bad" cholesterol that can build up along artery walls and lead to higher chances for heart disease and stroke. Today we learn about the new guidelines, risk factors and give you information to live a healthier life.

Dr. Justin Dunn, cardiologist and president-elect of the Akron American Heart Association’s board of directors (right) talks about the new cholesterol guidelines.

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S have high blood pressure, the most common controllable cause of stroke. This is why the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, with the support of Massillon City Health Department, has launched Check. Change. Control., a free program to help people in our community identify, lower and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

L-R: Hosts and pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss the Check. Change. Control. blood pressure program with Massillon City Health Department Public Health Nurse Audrey Milburn and American Heart Association Community Health Director Tim Lewis. 

As the number one killer of women, cardiovascular diseases, which include stroke, claim the life of a woman about every 80 seconds, according to the American Heart Association's Valerie Stutler. In fact, today heart disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined. This forces us to consider that a woman we know and love may be affected at any age.

L-R: Health Matters hosts and pharmacists, Brad and Paul White with Valerie Stutler, social events coordinator for the Canton office of the American Heart Association.

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association, at least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib.  Some patients have described the feeling as if their heart is skipping a beat or flip flopping, while others report feeling nauseated or light headed. Then there are people who indicate they have had no symptoms and discovered they have AFib at a routine checkup with their physician. In today's segment we talk about AFib treatment options including pacemakers, drug therapy and the Watchman Device with Dr. Michael Markel, cardiologist from Stark Medical Specialties. 

L-R: Brad and Paul White, registered pharmacists and Dr. Michael Markel, Stark Medical Specialties