| February is American Heart Month |
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Click Here to download out Heart Healthy Handout! |
Tips for Better Heart Health:
It’s not hard to reduce your risk for heart disease! Start today with small, simple actions like these:
Celebrate with a checkup. Let each birthday remind you that it’s time for your yearly checkup and a talk with your doctor about how you can reduce your risk for heart disease.
Get off the couch. Step, march or jog in place for at least 30 minutes five days a week, you can even do it while watching TV.
Quit smoking in four steps. Can’t go "cold turkey"? Cut the number of cigarettes you smoke each day in half; then cut that number in half; cut it in half again; finally, cut down to zero!
Drop a pound or two. Cutting out just 500 to 1000 calories a day can help you lose one to two pounds per week and gradually bring you closer to a heart-healthy weight. To help you stay on track, keep daily records of your calorie intake.
Become a salt detective. Check out the Nutrition Facts panel on packaged foods to see how much sodium (salt) they contain. Aim for a total intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon of salt) per day.
Learn how to read food package labels to help you make healthier choices. And look for the American Heart Association’s heart-check mark on food packages in your store. They’re certified to be low in saturated fat and cholesterol. |
Heart Attack Warning Signs:
- Chest discomfort.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
- Shortness of breath.
- Cold sweat, nausea and lightheadedness.
- If any of these signs appear seek medical attention immediately.
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How Much Do You Know About a Heart Attack?
Are the following statements true or false? Click each question to display the answer.
- Most heart attacks occur suddenly, without any warning.
- FALSE! About two-thirds of victims are warned well in advance by episodes of chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue. But the heart attack itself may seem sudden. Symptoms include a prolonged crushing pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. Often the pain radiates to the neck or arms. Heart attack also is associated with sweating or chills, shortness of breath, nausea, and cold, clammy skin..
- The medical term for heart attack (myocardial infarction) means "death of heart muscle."
- TRUE! When one of the arteries that supplies blood flow to the heart (the coronary arteries) becomes blocked, the flow of fresh, oxygenated blood to the heart stops. If it lasts too long, the starved heart tissue dies. This defines a heart attack.
- Blood clots cause most heart attacks.
- TRUE! Research has confirmed that the sudden formation of a blood clot in an already narrowed vessel triggers nearly all heart attacks.
- Alternative medicine is more effective than traditional methods in treating heart attacks.
- FALSE! A heart attack must be quickly addressed with standard drug and surgical therapy. Alternative medicine, however, may be valuable in prevention and recovery.
- Heart attack sufferers require a lengthy period of convalescence.
- FALSE! People recovering from heart attacks are encouraged to get on their feet as soon as possible and start a gentle exercise program. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations on types of exercise and how much you can do.
Quiz courtesy of WebMD.com
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Click Here to estimate your risk of having a heart attack or coronary artery disease. |
Information provided by the American Heart Association |
| February 6th is National Wear Red Day! |
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Go Red for Women
- American Heart Association's Nationwide Campaign
- Raise awareness of the cardiovascular Disease
- Give women the knowledge and motivation to take charge of their health
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Wear red to support women and the fight against heart disease! |
Tips for better heart health:
- Use your birthday to remind you to set up a yearly appointment to evaluate your risk factors. Have blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels checked.
- If you smoke, quit! Trying cutting the number of cigarettes you smoke in half each day until you are able to quit for good.
- Get some exercise each day. Start with 15 minutes a day and increase by 5 minutes each week until you’re getting at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
- Avoid fad diets, which don’t work in the long run. If you eat one candy bar less (about 200-300 calories) and exercise at least 30 minutes on 5 + days of the week, you’ll steadily get closer to your goal weight.
- When you reach a goal, reward yourself by doing something you enjoy. You deserve it, it’s not easy to change! Keep track of your successes in exercising, losing weight, or quitting smoking.
For more information, check out: Go Red for Women
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