Thinking About Your Heart This Valentine’s Day

Posted February 14, 2018

Keep the love pumping through those veins this Valentine’s Day!

February is the month of love, and heart-shaped everything is on everyone’s mind. But there is one very important heart you may not be thinking much about: your own heart. In addition to Valentine’s Day, February is also Heart Disease Awareness Month. Your heart is vitally important, and it is equally important that you know how to keep it safe and healthy.

What is Heart Disease?

Typically, heart disease occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, slowing or stopping the flow of blood to the heart. Plaque is a fatty material that can be caused by things like high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking, or too much sugar in the blood. The build up of this plaque that slows down blood flow can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Who is at Risk?

Anyone can be at risk for heart disease, especially if you…

  • Smoke
  • Overweight
  • Don’t exercise
  • Don’t eat healthy
  • Have a family history of heart disease
  • Are over the age of 45

Dangerous Signs to Watch for

If you or a loved one have a heart disease, there is a good chance of a heart attack or stroke occurring. It is important to know what signs to look for. Sometimes these symptoms will occur suddenly, other times they will slowly occur over time.

Symptoms to look for:

  • Pain or pressure in left side of the chest
  • Trouble breathing
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Stomach problems

What can You do to Help Prevent Getting Heart Disease?

You would be amazed at what everyday things you can do to help fight heart disease.

  • Eating healthy and exercising are key to helping keep your cholesterol levels down. There are healthy fats that are necessary to our diet, but others such as trans fats should be avoided as much as possible. Sitting too much can be dangerous to your health no matter how much exercise you do. This can be hard to avoid if you have a job that involves sitting at a desk most of the day. Try to find ways to get up and move around periodically throughout the day so that you can keep the blood pumping.
  • Keeping up good oral hygiene can actually help fight heart disease since gum disease has the same risk factors as the heart.
  • Cigarettes and tobacco should be avoided at all costs. Smoking is terrible for your health in more ways than one, but especially for your heart. Even secondhand smoke can put you at a huge risk for heart disease.This is because the chemicals in cigarettes actually help to promote the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
  • Not matter what your age or health habits are, if you don’t get enough sleep you are at risk. Sleep is absolutely essential to your health. Studies have found that adults who get less than six hours of sleep per night are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as those who sleep six to eight hours.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/01/5-things-to-do-daily-to-keep-your-heart-healthy/

https://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy#the-basics_1

https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/keep-your-heart-healthy

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#.Wn3FwZM-eCQ

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/LifesSimple7forKids/Keep-your-heart-healthy-with-Lifes-Simple-7-for-Kids_UCM_466541_Article.jsp#.Wn28MZM-eCQ

Let Us Join Your Support System

We care about your health, and we want to be a part of your support system. Another key step in staying healthy is staying on top of your medication regimen. If you suffer from heart disease of any sort, taking the proper medication is vital to your continued health. Taking the proper medication isn’t the only piece to the puzzle; it’s also important that you take your medication correctly (i.e. the right dosage at the right time.) This is why MedaCheck’s app, Habit, sends off an alert when it’s time to take your medication, along with a photo of the drug, the name of the medication, and any specific instructions to take the medication properly—because it’s not just about taking your medication on time, it’s about doing it the right way. Want to learn more about MedaCheck’s easy-to-use medication reminder system? If you’re a hospital, care center, healthcare organization or home care provider, employer or individual, visit www.medacheck.com.