February is Healthy Heart Month!
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
What is heart disease?
The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia. When these events happen, symptoms may include1
Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Arrhythmia: Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations).
Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
Learn the Facts About Heart Disease
About 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year—that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.1,2
Learn more facts.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of people in the United States (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors.2 Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including
Diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Excessive alcohol use
Learn about how heart disease and mental health disorders are related.
Learn more about heart disease, heart attack, and related conditions:
Coronary Artery Disease
Heart Attack
Men and Heart Disease
Women and Heart Disease
Other Related Conditions
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or some types of heart surgery. Cardiac rehab is a supervised program that includes
Physical activity
Education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking
Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health
A team of people may help you through cardiac rehab, including your health care team, exercise and nutrition specialists, physical therapists, and counselors or mental health professionals.
Here is a complete toolkit to kick start your healthy heart: https://lnkd.in/gNwfXCad
