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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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More Heart Health News:


February is American Heart Month
2/12/2025 • Posted by Fidelis Care

Practice Heart Healthy Habits

Did you know that about 80% of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, can be prevented? It is important to take care of your heart health by having positive lifestyle habits and working with your healthcare provider.

Understanding Your Risk

Old and young people need to keep their heart healthy. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and seeing your healthcare provider can help you keep your heart healthy. It is important to take care of your heart health by having positive lifestyle habits and working with your healthcare provider.   

A family history of heart disease may increase your risk. But 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.

Here are several risk factors for heart disease and how to lower your risk:

  • Blood pressure - High blood pressure strains your heart, blood vessels, and body organs. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and make sure it is normal.
  • Cholesterol - High cholesterol levels in the body help to form plaque which clogs your blood vessels and leads to heart disease. Make sure your cholesterol levels are normal.
  • Blood sugar - High blood sugar levels cause damage to your body and heart. Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. The risk of death from heart disease for adults with diabetes is higher than for adults who do not have diabetes. Make sure your blood sugar levels are normal.
  • Weight - Extra body weight places a burden on your heart and body. Losing extra weight can also help to control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
  • Smoking - Using tobacco significantly increases the risk of developing heart disease. Do not smoke. Quitting smoking can help to lower your risk of heart disease.
  • Diet - Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and high fiber whole grains. A healthy diet should also be low in saturated and trans fats, and low in salt and added sugars.
  • Activity - Keep active and get the recommended amount of exercise, at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Always talk to your provider before starting a diet or exercise plan.
  • Stress - Chronic stress can have harmful effects on your overall health and well-being. Try to identify, reduce, and manage sources of stress in your life. Activities like exercise, getting enough sleep, enjoyable hobbies, relaxation techniques, meditation, mindfulness, and spending time with loved ones can help.

Talk to your provider about safely reducing your risk and setting goals for a healthier heart. Your provider may also prescribe medication.

Visit our Heart Health Resource page for additional information.

Sources

https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/prevention/#:~:text=An%20estimated%2080%25%20of%20cardiovascular,and%20%E2%80%9Cknowing%20your%20numbers%E2%80%9D.

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm