February is American heart month, a time that brings awareness and focus to the medical community and the public about the threat of cardiovascular disease to our nation's health. This year's official Wear Red day is Friday, February 3, an event designed to help bring attention to heart health and to remind us that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for Americans. As with any disease, education about symptoms, risk factors, and lifestyle choices is critical in combating heart disease.
The cardiac team within South Carolina and Georgia House Calls specializes in treating and helping patients manage congested heart failure (CHF,) Hypertension (HTN,) and many other related heart conditions and diseases. The specialists have extensive experience working in cardiac practices and have advanced knowledge of chronic and acute cardiac disorders. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is used extensively as a critical tool in monitoring the daily vitals of their patients.
1. Hydration:
Water is the best drink for overall health. When the body is dehydrated, it does not function as designed. Dehydration causes additional strain on the heart by beating faster to keep blood circulating. If you drink alcohol, limit consumption to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
2. Put it Out:
Tobacco is a controllable risk factor that should be avoided at all costs. Smoking leads to the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries, a significant cause of coronary heart disease leading to heart attacks and death.
3. By the Numbers:
High blood pressure, if left uncontrolled, can increase a person's risk for heart disease. According to the CDC, one in two adults has high blood pressure, and only one in four controls it.
4. All the Right Pills:
Always follow your doctor's instructions when taking medications for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes treatment. Never stop taking any medications without first consulting your doctor.
5. Move it:
If you have a job where you sit at a desk for eight hours, make a conscious effort to take frequent breaks to get up and move throughout the day. Experts recommend an average person should have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, along with muscle-strengthening activities, at least two days a week.
6. Dangerous Curve:
Excess belly fat directly correlates to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Being overweight forces your heart to work harder and puts a person at risk for developing other diseases like atherosclerosis, which can lead to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and heart attacks.
7. Hit Snooze:
Sleep is essential to heart health. Deep sleep allows the body to go into periods of lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Adequate rest is necessary for the body, and being sleep-deprived can hurt you in many ways, especially for staying heart healthy.
8. You Need it When?:
Stress can increase inflammation in your body, linked to high blood pressure and lower levels of good HDL cholesterol. Anything you can do to relieve stress will lessen the risk to your heart. Try relaxation therapy, meditation, yoga, or take long walks.
SC House Calls & GA House Calls is a network of over 250 medical professionals providing In-home medical house calls and Telehealth visits to Private Residences, Assisted Living Communities, and Skilled Nursing Facilities. SC House Calls serves all 46 Counties of South Carolina. New patient registration, appointments, and 24-7 access to medical professionals are available through its Center for Telehealth @ 800-491-0909
