February is Heart Health Month!

07 Feb February is Heart Health Month!

February is Heart Health Month, so here at SAVA we want to share some information to make sure you are the healthiest you can be!

Did you know that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States?

Did you also know that it is one of the most preventable diseases! Preventing heart disease is a conscious decision one needs to make in order to change their lifestyle. Here at SAVA we are “Guided by Heart”, so we want to make sure we’re taking care of your heart with these healthy tips!

Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

• Let’s keep it simple to start – you need to know your risks! The older you are, the greater risk you have. Unfortunately, your family’s background is also a huge contributing factor – if you have any family history with heart disease, your chances are also greater.
• Go to the doctor! Make sure you are maintaining healthy blood pressure and monitoring your cholesterol! If you do not have a home blood pressure monitoring tool, please be sure to go to the doctor to get that checked out. It is recommended to get your own blood pressure tool to measure at home as well, as sometimes being measured at the doctor can provide false reports.
• Avoid ‘yo-yo’ dieting! Consistency is key! Going on an extreme diet may give you the results short term, but the added stress of gaining all of the weight back once you go back to your original lifestyle is even more taxing on your heart. Make sure that it is a lifestyle change of you limiting your calories while eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, reduced-fat dairy products, whole grains and fish.
• Drink responsibly! It is recommended that you drink fewer than two alcoholic drinks per day (yes, contrary to the fad news reports, this includes tequila!). Moderate drinking (14 units of alcohol a week) may be linked to a lower risk of some heart conditions in relation to people who never drank.
• Say no to smoking! Smoking and second hand smoke exposure (this includes vaping!) should be eliminated from your daily routine. Even though vapes, or electronic cigarettes, have become synonymous with a “healthier” choice for your lungs, it still has a great impact on your heart. E-cigarette users have been found to have higher adrenaline hormones than non-users, which can raise your blood pressure and heart rate.
• Stay informed! Science is constantly changing and with that, new studies are published every day. One thing you should keep in mind in the course of your research is that many studies are financed by companies pushing a certain product in order to sway the consumer. Be smart and stay informed!

Know the Symptoms!

• 2 out of 3 people have chest pain, shortness of breath or fatigue days to weeks before the attack.
• 1 out of 3 people don’t experience any chest pain during the attack!
• Loss of consciousness can be the first symptom of an oncoming heart attack.
• Pain in the middle of your chest, back, neck, jaw or arms.
• Gas-like pain or pressure which can be mistaken as indigestion, as well as nausea and vomiting.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, disorientation, shortness of breath, restlessness, sweatiness, heavy pounding of the heart, anxiety or sense of impending doom are all symptoms.
• Do not use this blog post as a substitute for WebMD! Also, do not use WebMD to be your end all be all! If you or someone you are with are experiencing any of these symptoms and are believed to be having a heart attack, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!

Stay safe and take care of your hearts, so we can take care of you and your insurance needs!