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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:


Fidelis Care Awards $10,000 to Harlem Mothers Save
4/11/2022 • Posted by Fidelis Care

Living-with-Sickle-Cell-Fidelis-Care-Support

        Funds to Help Prevent Gun Violence and Support Victims and their Families

April 11, 2022 (Long Island City, New York) – Fidelis Care has awarded Harlem Mothers Save a $10,000 grant to assist the non-profit organization with community programs that support victims of gun violence and their families in Harlem and surrounding communities.

Harlem Mothers Save and Fidelis Care understand that victim services are vital to the vulnerable and underserved families that live in violence plagued neighborhoods. They are committed to providing programs that address the anxiety, depression and other mental health issues that result from violence.

The funds will support community leadership training including:

  • First Responders Counseling –  Training first responders to support victims through the loss of  a loved one and to serve as family spokespersons and liaisons;
  • Bereavement Counseling – Professional counseling and peer to peer support groups;
  • Activism – Promoting civic duty and community pride by mentoring youth to be involved in the quality improvement efforts and to be community leaders by participating in community boards and other CBO based efforts;
  • Summer Recreational Programs – Partnering with P.A.L. and NYPD to provide safe recreation space in closed street environments. Training youth to work at Street Game locations during summer months.

Fidelis Care has had a long-standing relationship with Harlem Mothers Save since 2015.

“We are proud to support Harlem Mothers Save in their efforts to address gun violence in communities of color,” said Pam Hassen, Fidelis Care Chief Member Engagement Officer. “We are inspired by their tireless efforts to not only empower and educate the community, but also to support victims of violence and their families. Through this grant, Fidelis Care aims to further become a resource in the community where we serve.”

“Fidelis Care has been a committed partner in supporting the efforts of Harlem Mothers SAVE and continues to show their solidarity in many ways,” said Jackie Rowe-Adams, Harlem Mothers Save Founder. “This grant will allow Harlem Mothers SAVE to continue improving the quality of life in our beloved neighborhoods.”

For more information about Fidelis Care, contact Maria Ramirez at mramirez2@fideliscare.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 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 linked.com/fideliscare, on 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.