Sponsored: Have you ever been close to someone who was living with heart disease or high bad cholesterol (LDL-C)? Growing up, I watched my dad and other family members suffer heart attacks and strokes. Even though I’m adopted, I’ve been thinking about it and I recently realized it’s time—time to start making changes!
Earlier this year, I decided to really start paying attention to my own heart health, including high bad cholesterol. Nothing should go unchecked! My family history combined with my new commitment to being healthier, has led to my partnership with Amgen, the maker of Repatha® (evolocumab), to help educate about the importance of managing high bad cholesterol and heart health, and to share my family’s experiences.
Repatha is a prescription medicine for adults with heart disease that can help lower bad cholesterol and reduce risk of a heart attack or stroke.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use Repatha® if you are allergic to evolocumab or to any of the ingredients in Repatha®.
Please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
Health History
My family has a history of heart disease. I’m adopted and I’m not certain whether these things are also part of my genetics. When I hear of health concerns involving the heart, it hits me hard because of what I’ve seen my family go through, and I always take it seriously.
Growing up, my dad suffered from heart disease, and I remember times when he had to go to the hospital and even have surgeries to help. Those kinds of events have led me to pay close attention to my own heart health.
As someone who was adopted, I always wondered about my genetics and the potential health issues that could be passed on. Checking these things when they come up is so important.
Heart Stats
For me, 2020 was a very lazy year. But that laziness can contribute to some serious consequences. Let me just give you these stats:
- In the U.S., a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds.
- Every year, almost 800,000 heart attacks occur in the U.S.
- In 2020 heart disease remained one of the top public health concerns, followed by cancer and COVID-19.
Cholesterol plays an important part in heart health. I didn’t know much about it before, but here are a few things I’ve learned:
- Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered “good” because this type carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered “bad” because it can build up within the arteries, forming fatty deposits known as plaque.
- Over time, high levels of bad cholesterol can build up on the walls of your blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow where your body needs it.
- Sometimes these clogs can block your blood flow, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
This isn’t something you mess with; you need to take it seriously. But how?
Healthy Heart Plan
When it comes to my health, I take it seriously and will do whatever is necessary to make things better, but I also don’t want to have to change everything about my life. I figured there must be a solution to help me balance my everyday routine with my heart health. I want to take care of myself AND do the things that make me feel like me, that means playing football with my kids, eating my favorite foods and getting a run in on the treadmill.
Working with a doctor to understand your risk factors is critical, and something you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to do—I am paying attention to my cholesterol numbers and tracking them over time, as well as making changed to my diet and exercise.
And for some people with high bad cholesterol, medication is also necessary, and they shouldn’t feel judged. Remember we’re only human, and we’re all working towards the same goal of a healthier, happier future!
Making Changes
I always work to keep my heart health up and not forget the lessons from my family. Everyone’s health is important, so if you ever feel like there is something off, especially with your heart, don’t wait to see a doctor. For more information about Repatha®, talk to your doctor or visit repatha.com.
I am not a Repatha® patient and I do not have high cholesterol. I was compensated for this post.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use Repatha® if you are allergic to evolocumab or to any of the ingredients in Repatha®.
Before you start using Repatha®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are allergic to rubber or latex, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. The needle covers on the single-dose prefilled syringes and the inside of the needle caps on the single-dose prefilled SureClick® autoinjectors contain dry natural rubber. The single-dose Pushtronex® system (on-body infusor with prefilled cartridge) is not made with natural rubber latex.
Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you take.
What are the possible side effects of Repatha®?
Repatha® can cause serious side effects including serious allergic reactions. Stop taking Repatha® and call your healthcare provider or seek emergency help right away if you have any of these symptoms: trouble breathing or swallowing, raised bumps (hives), rash or itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms.
The most common side effects of Repatha® include: runny nose, sore throat, symptoms of the common cold, flu or flu-like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar levels (diabetes) and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Repatha®. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Approved Use
What is Repatha®?
Repatha® is an injectable prescription medicine used:
· in adults with cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain types of heart surgery.
· along with diet alone or together with other cholesterol-lowering medicines in adults with high blood cholesterol levels called primary hyperlipidemia (including a type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia [HeFH]) to reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol.
Please see full Prescribing Information bit.ly/2FbKM7G and Patient Product Information bit.ly/2HNH3fv.
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