-
Clara Pirela is a senior at Kempner High School. She is involved in multiple honor societies and is the historian for Best Buddies. She has received the award of Youth of the Month of the Sugar Land Exchange Club and multiple Academic Excellence awards. Throughout her mentor ship, she was able to see the behind scenes of a clinic during a global pandemic. She is currently transitioning back to on-site mentorship, working on a pamphlet and website for the office dedicated to teaching people how to obtain a heart healthy diet. She is planning on attending the University of St Thomas in the fall, hoping to follow her passion for nutrition and journalism at the same time.
I live to make the rest of my life, the best of my life.
-
Mentor
Dr. Daniel A. Nwachokor
Dr. Daniel A. Nwachokor is proud to be practicing family medicine in the community he grew up in. He is a product of the Hightower High School Medical Science Academy in Fort Bend ISD. He treats patients at all stages of life – from newborns to the elderly. He has a passion for community service and training future health professionals. He is active in numerous local, state, and national professional and philanthropic organizations. Family time is important to Dr. Nwachokor – he also enjoys swimming, golf, and traveling.
Project Abstract
The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart problems. The most typical type of heart disease in America is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood flow to the heart, which if decreased, can cause a heart attack. Many heart problems are related to a process called atherosclerosis, which is a condition that develops when plaque builds up in the arterial walls. This buildup makes it difficult for blood to pass through by narrowing the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A heart healthy diet is one that watches the foods they eat to ensure a positive effect on their organs. This can be practiced in several ways, such as implementing these listed foods in your diet. It is also helpful to choose healthy fats, pack in protein, and prepare your foods in a healthier manner, rather than frying everything. While pursuing this diet, one should avoid alcohol, high sodium intake, and added sugar.
According to a study from the American Heart Association, 121.5 million Americans, or roughly 48.5 percent, have dealt with heart or blood vessel disease as of 2016. Deaths from cardiovascular disease rose from more than 836,000 in 2015 to more than 840,000 in 2016 and have since undergone an increase to our current year. Issues of heart health affect many Americans, regardless of ethnicity, race, and gender. A contributing factor to this rising problem is how the marketing side of the food industry presents healthy and unhealthy food choices. For example, a Happy Meal from McDonald’s is a cheaper alternative to a nutritious bowl from Salata. In local grocery stores, it is typical that while walking through the produce aisle to the poultry section, one will be accosted by a variety of pastries and junk food. The food industry pushes the accessibility of unhealthy food choices while overlooking the desperate need to make healthy living simple and easy for the public, to english and spanish speakers alike. To battle this issue, a brochure and website was constructed with accessible tips and recipes are presented to make a heart healthy diet more attainable to the patients of the Community Health and Life Center.
