Health Resources for Heart Disease | Fidelis Care
Member
Providers
Shop For a Plan

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)


 

Get Coverage Today

Tell us more about yourself to find qualifying plans and estimate costs.

More Heart Health News:


NEWS RELEASE: New York Edge and Fidelis Care Announce Partnership to Promote Access to Afterschool Resources for NYC Youth
11/8/2019 • Posted by Fidelis Care

NEW YORK, NY – November 8, 2019 –– Today, New York Edge, the largest provider of afterschool programs in the metropolitan region, announced a partnership with Fidelis Care, a leading health plan providing quality, affordable coverage for more than 1.7 million New Yorkers. Through the partnership, a variety of health and wellness programs will be provided to New York Edge students and their families during the 2019-2020 academic year.

“Health and wellness are the foundation for student success in academics, arts, and athletics. As such, health-focused initiatives have long been a key component of our program offerings at New York Edge,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “By incorporating our students’ families, the Fidelis Care programming will provide our students with the structure to establish healthy lifestyles and the knowledge to make positive wellness choices.”

The partnership between Fidelis Care and New York Edge will provide students and their families with new health-focused engagement opportunities including cooking classes, healthcare seminars, and career panels. Fidelis Care will also support volunteer projects and events, including the Spring Arts Showcase, Spelling Bee, and the annual Step competition.

"Fidelis Care is proud to partner with New York Edge and looks forward to connecting with students and families while promoting health and wellness," said Pam Hassen, Chief Member Engagement Officer. "We believe in the potential of children of all ages and know what's possible when they are able to grow up healthy and feel confident about their futures. Working with New York Edge will further enable Fidelis Care to be on the front lines of community and school wellness and impact families where they work, learn, and live."

Fidelis Care provides quality, affordable health insurance coverage for children and adults of all ages, and has a long tradition of grassroots outreach and community partnership. Fidelis Care Representatives will be on site at a variety of school locations and events, where parents can find resources and information, and have all their questions answered.

New York Edge serves students, families, and the communities around them with customized, curriculum-based afterschool programming that promotes mentorship, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and competition.

Today, the nonprofit provides more than 40,000 students in grades K-12 with rigorous, innovative programs designed to give them the edge needed to succeed.

An on-site program, New York Edge currently provides a unified support system with professionally trained teaching staff at more than 300 public schools across the five boroughs. The organization’s unique K-12, three-season model gives students the opportunity to learn and grow all year long and bridges the summer education loss gap.

About New York Edge

New York Edge, formerly known as the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF), is a Queens-based non-profit organization and the largest provider of afterschool programs in New York City and the metropolitan region. With more than 40,000 students from over 300 programs in grades K-12, the organization provides under-resourced students with year-round programs to give them the edge needed to succeed. www.newyorkedge.org

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.

Follow us on Twitter at @fideliscare and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare.