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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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NEWS RELEASE: Fidelis Care’s StreetSide RV Program Brings Health Insurance Enrollment to Local Neighborhoods
11/5/2019 • Posted by Fidelis Care

Rego Park, (QUEENS) NY (November 4, 2019) – Fidelis Care today announced the expansion and re-branding of its fleet of mobile vehicles at a special “reveal” event at Terrace on the Park, attended by more than 500 of the health plan’s employees. Five new RVs have been added to the fleet of full-service mobile outreach centers, now called StreetSide.

With more than 39 StreetSide locations throughout the metropolitan area and Long Island, local residents will be able to apply for or renew coverage for themselves and their families in the neighborhoods where they live and work.

The StreetSide RVs feature a bold new design and the tagline, “Bringing Health Coverage to You,” representing Fidelis Care’s commitment to bringing ease and convenience to the health insurance enrollment and renewal process for New Yorkers. More than 9,000 individuals have already enrolled at the plan’s RV locations this year.

“With more than 900,000 members in the greater New York City area, Fidelis Care is bringing health insurance education to local neighborhoods and making it as easy as possible to get coverage,” said Pam Hassen, Chief Member Engagement Officer. “Fidelis Care’s StreetSide program goes to the heart of neighborhoods where our staff understand local needs, speak the languages of the community, and promote health and wellness for children and adults of all ages.”

With the Annual Election Period for Medicare and Open Enrollment for Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health now underway, the StreetSide program makes it easy for individuals to apply for health insurance, learn about benefits, and have all their questions answered.

No appointments are necessary, although local residents can schedule a time to meet with a Fidelis Care Representative at a StreetSide location by calling 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547). Weekly updates about StreetSide RV locations will be posted on fideliscare.org/streetside and can be searched via the #streetside hashtag on Instagram.

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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