Date: Feb, 12 2021

In February, we focus on our loved ones as we celebrate Valentine’s Day. We are surrounded by flowers and pink and red hearts. With all the talk of love and hearts, it’s a fitting month to take time to focus on our own heart as we observe American Heart Month. We use this month as a platform to raise awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. It’s no longer just talking about heart disease, it’s more about taking charge and making commitments to improving our health.

Nearly half of all Americans have one of the three key risk factors of heart disease: high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking. Too many people make poor lifestyle choices every day that negatively affect their heart. Poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, and physical inactivity are just a few things that can do permanent damage. It’s easy to forget to implement the basic ways to take care of our hearts, but it’s one of the most important things to remember. Go back to the basics and protect your heart with these tips provided by Adoray Home Health & Hospice.

A-void tobacco: If you smoke; quit. If someone in the household smokes, he or she should be encouraged to quit. It’s tough, but it’s tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease.

B-e more active: Be physically active every day. Research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep weight at a healthy level.

C-hoose good nutrition: A healthy diet is one of the best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. The food eaten (and the amount) can affect other controllable risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and obesity. Prepare heart-healthy meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Heart disease, such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease, is currently the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. The good news is that heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. You can make simple changes like using spices instead of salt on your food, eating more vegetables, or going for walks. The benefits of regular exercise are undeniable. Start with little things and those little things will make a big difference to your health.

Here are some additional tips. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk:

• Watch your weight.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Manage stress.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart disease, but if you find that you have been diagnosed with it, it can be manageable. It may seem overwhelming if you try to a make a lot of changes at once, so take things one step at a time. Make a plan and set realistic goals.
 
Additionally, everyone should be aware of the warning signs of an impending heart attack or stroke. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them start slowly with mild pain or discomfort with one or more of these symptoms:

• Chest discomfort
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Other signs including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

At Adoray Home Health & Hospice, we understand that cardiac patients and their caregivers deserve a specialized level of care. That is why we developed an evidence-based clinical approach to effectively manage chronic cardiac illness for home health and hospice patients.

We believe that the quality of life for our cardiac patients can be enhanced through care designed to meet their physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs. Our care focuses on providing proactive therapies, as well as experienced pain and symptom management and psychosocial support.
Services for Patients with Heart Disease may include but are not limited to:

• Cardio-respiratory assessment
• Medication management
• Pain and symptom management
• Teaching and use of oxygen
• Nutritional management
• Spiritual and psychosocial support
• Family support
• Advance directive planning

Adoray Home Health & Hospice is here to help you make healthy heart choices. We know finding the right care for yourself or your loved one is an important decision. Our community-based not-for-profit home health and hospice agency has been caring for community members of all ages for over 25 years, and we work hard to be the Best Home Health & Hospice in the area.

To learn more about why Adoray Home Health & Hospice is the right choice for you or your loved ones, or to set up a free care consultation, contact us today online or at (800) 359-0174.

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