Keeping Your Heart Healthy

06/22/2022

A healthy heart is central to overall good health. 

Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke. You are never too old or too young to begin taking care of your heart. Swapping good habits for bad to promote good health can make a difference, even if you’ve already suffered a heart attack.

When to See a Doctor

Depending on your age, you should be receiving regular screenings from your doctor for blood pressure and cholesterol level, this can be done at your annual check-up. If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan that includes a healthy lifestyle. If you believe you are having a heart attack or stroke, you should call 911 immediately. Heart attack symptoms vary, but common heart attack signs include:

• Chest discomfort. This can be pressure, tightness, squeezing, or pain in the center of your chest. It usually lasts for more than a few minutes.
• Pain in one or both arms. Sometimes this pain isn’t limited to your arms. You may feel pain in your jaw, neck, back, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweat, dizziness.
• Stroke symptoms are often more easily recognizable than those for a heart attack. According to the AHA, here is how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T.

Source: familydoctor.org