Health Resources for Heart Disease | Fidelis Care
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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 Supports Expansion of New York State’s Essential Plan Through Statewide Engagement Campaign
7/10/2024 • Posted by Fidelis Care

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY [July 10, 2024] – Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.4 million members in New York State and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSC: CNC), announced its commitment to educate the public about the increased eligibility of the Essential Plan, which aims to bridge the gap for those who may not qualify for Medicaid Managed Care but still need access to quality, low-cost health insurance. Expanded eligibility now makes the program available to more than 100,000 more New Yorkers.

NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace recently expanded the eligibility of the Essential Plan to increase access to high-quality, affordable health insurance for low- and moderate-income individuals. New Yorkers whose income is up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Line ($37,650 annual income for an individual) may now be eligible for Essential Plan coverage.

“Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. With the Essential Plan expansion, more people will be able to afford the care they need,” said Fidelis Care Chief Operating Officer Andi Gillentine. “Fidelis Care Representatives are ready to assist New Yorkers who now qualify and may need help to enroll.”

The Essential Plan’s expanded eligibility provides an excellent opportunity for Fidelis Care to help more uninsured people get covered. Fidelis Care’s trained and knowledgeable representatives – who speak more than 25 languages – will be available to explain the Essential Plan’s costs, benefits, eligibility criteria, and enrollment process to people who need health insurance. 

To educate the public on the Essential Plan, Fidelis Care will:

  • Host hundreds of informational events each month where Fidelis Care staff can answer questions and assist with the enrollment process.
  • Have Fidelis Care representatives available by phone, and in-person at more than 20 community offices and dozens of StreetSide RV locations throughout the state to provide support for those enrolling in the plan.
  • Distribute instructional flyers and materials across communities statewide to help people learn about the Essential Plan.
  • Raise awareness of the Essential Plan expansion through a comprehensive media campaign that includes social media and digital advertising to engage and educate individuals on the eligibility and benefits of the Essential Plan.

The Essential Plan is designed to help individuals and families who fall into particular income categories, providing them with essential health benefits, including a $0 monthly premium, no deductible, low out of pocket costs, dental and vision coverage with $0 copay, and free preventive care. In addition to those benefits, the Essential Plan Offered by Fidelis Care includes a fitness reimbursement program, a variety of healthcare resources, and access to the plan’s statewide network of high- quality providers.

Fidelis Care urges anyone in New York State without health coverage or anyone who falls within the new guidelines to contact Fidelis Care for assistance. For more information about the Essential Plan, visit https://www.fideliscare.org/essential-plan.


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, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. 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 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.