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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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Wellcare By Fidelis Care Expands Coverage Area, Offers New Benefits for Medicaid Advantage Plus Plan
8/9/2023 • Posted by Fidelis Care

Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.6 million members, is pleased to announce a coverage area expansion of its Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus (HMO D-SNP) Plan into Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.

Fidelis Care now offers the care, services, and extra benefits under the name of “Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus” to eligible individuals in 52 counties of New York State, enabling qualified individuals to receive the support they need to safely remain in their own homes and communities.

Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus is a Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) plan available to individuals who have Medicare and Medicaid coverage. It provides individualized care for adults who have a chronic illness or disability that makes them eligible for services usually provided in a nursing home. A Nurse Care Manager works with each member and his or her provider and caregiver(s) to develop a single, comprehensive care plan and to help arrange for medical, behavioral, social, educational, financial and other needed services.

“With the expansion of Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus, we are strengthening access to quality care and support for frail and vulnerable adults – many of whom have complex health care needs,” said Fidelis Care’s Chief Medical Officer, Vincent Marchello, MD. “We understand how important it is for members to live comfortably and safely in their own homes and communities, and we value our partnership with caregivers, providers, and local resources that provide ongoing support.”

Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus administers members’ Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care benefits, drug coverage and covers doctor’s office visits, hospital stays, Part D benefits, home health aides, adult day healthcare, certain behavioral healthcare, dental care, nursing home care and more. Individuals are eligible for the program if they are 18 years of age or older, are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and enrolled in both programs, require long-term care for more than 120 days, and live in a county in New York State where MAP is available.

Extra benefits provided by Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus for the current plan year include an over-the-counter benefit, $25 per month ($300 per year) for buying healthy food, $0 prescription copays, support for hearing aids and financial assistance for utility bills.

“By receiving care and services at home, members are able to maintain their independence, stay connected to friends and family, and remain in a comfortable and familiar setting,” added Dr. Marchello. “This enables individuals to maintain a sense of independence and confidence that can help improve their quality of life.”

For more information about Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus and other health insurance programs offered by Fidelis Care, visit 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 2.6 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care, 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.

About Wellcare  
For more than 20 years, Wellcare has offered a range of Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), which offer affordable coverage beyond Original Medicare. Wellcare is the Medicare brand of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Centene’s Medicare brands, including Allwell, Health Net, Fidelis Care, Trillium Advantage, ‘Ohana Health Plan, and TexanPlus transitioned to the Wellcare brand. For more information about Wellcare, visit www.wellcare.com

Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal.

Benefits mentioned may be a part of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill. Not all members will qualify.”