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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesHeart Disease

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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NEWS RELEASE: With Focus on Health and Wellness, Fidelis Care To Offer Free Screenings at the 2019 Great New York State Fair
8/21/2019 • Posted by Fidelis Care

SYRACUSE, NY (August 21, 2019) –Fidelis Care is emphasizing the importance of health and wellness at the 2019 Great New York State Fair with the addition of free dental screenings for children and adults and free hearing screenings for seniors. Fidelis Care will be on-site during all 13 days of the Fair with an exciting series of events for the entire family.

Here’s an overview of Fidelis Care’s activities:  

Senior Days, August 26/27/28:

  • Fidelis Care is a major supporter of Senior Days, with free hearing screenings on Tuesday, August 27 from 10 AM to 4 PM provided by Syracuse University’s Gebbie Clinic.  

Youth Day, August 29:

  • Fidelis Care is the exclusive sponsor of Youth Day and will provide families with healthy school lunch and snack ideas and a free lunch tote.     
  • Fidelis Care will offer free dental screenings with DentaQuest for children and adults from 10 AM to 4 PM (8/29 and 8/30) and will be giving away free toothbrushes.

Student Day, August 30:

  • Fidelis Care will give away over 10,000 free school supplies, including backpacks, notebooks, and pencils, to help families prepare for the start of the new school year.

Adopt-a-Family:  

  • Fidelis Care is once again supporting the Adopt-a-Family program, which provides local, low-income families with free admission to the fair as well as food and entertainment vouchers. 

Representatives will be available at Fidelis Care’s booth in front of the Art and Home Center to answer questions about health insurance and help eligible residents apply for enrollment.

 “Fidelis Care always looks forward to our participation at the Great New York State Fair, and we are pleased to offer new health and wellness activities this year, “ said Pam Hassen, Chief Member Engagement Officer. “As a Statewide health plan, Fidelis Care serves more than 1.7 million members, and we look forward to meeting many of them at the fair. We’re here to support children and adults of all ages on their health journey.”

“We greatly appreciate our partnership with Fidelis Care and their efforts to improve the health of our fairgoers and the community as a whole. Among the crazy foods and wild rides and beautiful animals, some really good and important things happen at the Fair. We thank Fidelis Care for their efforts and urge fairgoers to consider stopping by their booth,” said Troy Waffner, Fair Director.

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. With more than 1.7 million members Statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.

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