February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on raising awareness about heart disease. Despite advances in medicine, heart disease is still the number one killer of men and women in America. Doctors say that prevention is the best solution to combating heart disease. In honor of American Heart Month, ReactDx has compiled important information that will help you keep your heart at its healthiest.
Lifestyle Changes
The risk of suffering heart disease can be significantly reduced by making some simple lifestyle changes. Adding activities to or subtracting activities from your daily schedule can be all that is needed to maintain a healthy heart. These changes include:
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing cholesterol and sodium intake
- Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods
- Stop smoking
- Get plenty of sleep
- Avoid stress inducing situations
Preexisting Conditions
Some people have higher chances of suffering heart disease due to preexisting conditions, such as diabetes, so make sure you are staying in touch with your doctor to keep it under control because diabetes can cause significant heart damage if not cared for properly.
Family History
Genetics can also be a big factor for your risks for heart disease. Check your family’s medical history to see if heart disease is prevalent and talk to your doctor about steps you can take to reduce these factors.
Know the Signs of a Heart Attack
Recognizing the onset of a heart attack is important to receive the required medical treatment as soon as possible. Heart attacks can occur without the sufferer realizing it because it does not always appear to cause enough trouble to warrant a hospital visit, but the damage to the heart is still done. These are the major symptoms of a heart attack:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the arms, jaw, back, upper body or upper stomach
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Cold sweats
Remember to seek medical help if you feel these symptoms and suspect a heart attack is occurring. To find out more about American Heart Month, browse the ReactDx Inc. blog.
