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Heart Disease Resources

People of all ages need to keep their heart healthy. Eating well, exercising regularly, and seeing your health care provider can help you keep your heart healthy. Work with your healthcare provider and adopt good lifestyle habits to help lower the risk of heart disease.

Heart disease describes conditions related to plaque building up in the walls of the arteries. Other conditions include arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms), congenital heart failure, and heart valve problems.

What is your risk?

Heart disease can happen to anyone, including children. You can be born with it, and a family history of heart disease may increase your risk.

Most heart disease develops over time due to poor habits such as smoking or eating an unhealthy diet. Having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes also increases your risk of heart disease. Talk with your provider about ways to prevent or manage diabetes and control other risk factors.

What is a good resting heart rate?

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Remember, factors such as age, physical activity, and overall health can affect what is considered your normal resting heart rate.

Talk to your provider if you have concerns about your heart rate.

How does high blood pressure affect heart health?

The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Causes for high blood pressure include:

  • Diabetes
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Smoking
  • Not getting enough regular physical activity
  • Unhealthy diets, including high amounts of sodium and alcohol

Talk to your provider about how you can lower your blood pressure to help avoid heart disease and stroke.

How can you lower your risk of heart disease?
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, poultry, and fish; avoid having too much salt or sugar
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise at least 150 minutes per week
• Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at a healthy level
• Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products
• Follow your doctor’s recommendations
Can heart disease be treated?
Yes. Talk to your provider about how to safely reduce the risk of heart disease. You can also talk about setting goals for a healthier heart. Your provider may also prescribe medication.
What are symptoms of a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. Be aware of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Cold sweat
  • Nausea
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain in the jaw, neck, arms, shoulder, or back

Call 911 if you or someone you know is having a heart attack.

What can cause Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood and meet your body's needs. The following factors may increase your risk of CHF:

  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol levels
  • High blood pressure
  • Poor diet
  • Not getting enough physical activity
  • Smoking and/or using tobacco
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Stress

Talk to your provider to learn more about CHF.

What can cause heart arrhythmia?

A heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Factors that may cause arrhythmia include:

  • Blood sugar levels that are too low or too high
  • Caffeine, illegal drugs, and certain medications
  • Dehydration
  • Low levels of electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, or calcium
  • Physical activity
  • Strong emotional stress or anxiety
  • Vomiting or coughing
  • Smoke
  • Use illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines
  • Drink alcohol more often and more than is recommended (no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women)
  • Take certain antibiotics and over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines

Talk to your provider about how to prevent arrhythmias.

Here are some resources to help you prevent or manage heart disease:

 

Managing Blood Pressure Flyer

American Heart Association

 High Blood Pressure Resources Page (CDC)

Heart Health Articles and Videos (Healthwise)


 

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Fidelis Care Provides $122,000 in Community Grants to Combat Food Insecurity Across New York State
1/15/2025 • Posted by Fidelis Care

30 Community-based Organizations Receive Grants to Support Individuals and Families Facing Food and Nutrition Challenges

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY [January 15, 2025] – Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.4 million members in New York State and a Centene Corporation company, announced the distribution of $122,000 in food insecurity grants to 30 community-based organizations. The grants reflect Fidelis Care’s commitment to combating food insecurity and enhancing community health by partnering with organizations that serve vulnerable populations across New York.

Access to nutritious food is one of the most critical determinants of health. Hunger contributes to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and depression. By supporting these 30 community organizations, Fidelis Care addresses a foundational barrier to health.

Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap study shows more than 2.6 million New Yorkers, or 13.6% of the population, face food insecurity. The United States Department of Agriculture reports significant disparities, with higher rates among Black and Hispanic households.

Grant recipient St. John’s Bread and Life is one of the largest emergency food providers in New York City, distributing more than 4.5 million meals annually through a variety of food programs.

St. John’s Bread and Life Executive Director, Sister Caroline Tweedy, RSM, said, “We are grateful to Fidelis Care for its support of our emergency food programs and for joining with us as we empower the fragile among us. This grant enables Bread and Life to continue to provide balanced, nutritious meals and much-needed basic supplies to our neighbors in need.”

Fidelis Care Food Insecurity Grant Recipients

  • Artists Athletes Activists - New York City
  • Capital District Latinos - Albany County
  • Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill - Westchester County
  • Catholic Charities Roots & Wings – Chenango County
  • Catholic Charities - Genesee County
  • Catholic Charities - Westchester County
  • Delaware Opportunities - Delaware County
  • Family Life Worship Center - Nassau County
  • Food Bank of the Southern Tier - Chemung County
  • God’s Love We Deliver - New York City
  • Greater Syracuse Southside Homeowners Association - Onondaga County
  • Hamilton Madison House - New York City
  • Haitian Americans United for Progress - Brooklyn/Queens
  • Hope 7 Community Center - Rensselaer County
  • HopeLine Food Pantry - Bronx
  • House of Concern - Seneca County
  • Islamic Circle of North America - Brooklyn/Queens
  • Island Harvest - Niagara County
  • Johnson City Wildcat Food Pantry and Clothing Closet - Broome County
  • Long Island Cares - Suffolk County
  • Massachusetts Avenue Project - Erie County
  • Mother Teresa's Cupboard - Broome County
  • Niagara Falls Schools - Niagara County
  • NY Common Pantry - New York City
  • People’s Place - Ulster County
  • Proyecto Faro - Rockland County
  • Self-Help Community Services - New York City
  • St. John’s Bread and Life - Brooklyn
  • State Street Presbyterian Food Pantry - Schenectady County
  • Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless - Sullivan County

About Fidelis Care
Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. With more than 2.4 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care, on X/Twitter at @fideliscare, Instagram at @fideliscare, and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.