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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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Fidelis Care Unveils New Statewide Campaign to Support the Unique Health Needs of Every Neighborhood
10/23/2025 • Posted by Fidelis Care

 Here for Your Health initiative brings health-focused resources and support across New York State

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (October 23, 2025) Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.4 million members in New York State and a Centene Corporation company, today announced the launch of its new Here for Your Health (HFYH) campaign, reaffirming its commitment to the health and well-being of every New Yorker. The campaign highlights Fidelis Care’s mission to ensure individuals receive care that is accessible, personalized, and comprehensive at every stage of life. Through strategic partnerships and community-based outreach, HFYH aims to connect New Yorkers with essential health services and resources that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while actively working to bridge gaps in care across communities.

“Here for Your Health is more than a campaign, it’s a reflection of our mission,” said Mary Beth Maginn, Fidelis Care Senior Vice President of Population Health and Membership. “We believe everyone deserves access to the care and support they need to live a healthy life, and we’re proud to invest in the people and programs that are making a difference every day. Whether it’s through a trusted provider or community organization, we’re here for the health of every New Yorker so they can live life to the fullest.”

As part of its ongoing dedication to building healthier communities across New York State, Fidelis Care is proud to support the new HFYH campaign through a series of impactful, local initiatives in cities and towns across New York State.

  • Statewide Garden Partnerships: Fidelis Care is partnering with urban agriculture programs affiliated with the New York State Department of Agriculture Community Gardens Task Force with the goal of enhancing local food accessibility. These collaborations also support local wellness initiatives, reinforcing the importance of healthy living at the grassroots level. Campaign launch partners include GrowNYC , Capital Roots,  Grassroots Gardens WNY, and Syracuse Grows.  

GrowNYC Green Space Director Mike Rezny said, “We believe that every New Yorker deserves access to community gardens to connect neighbors with nature and nutritious food to support their physical and mental well-being. We can’t do this work without the participation and support of partners like Fidelis Care. Together, we help keep New York neighborhoods greener, healthier, and thriving.”

  • $500,000 in HFYH Health Equity Grants: Funding will be awarded to community-based organizations and healthcare providers focused on reducing health disparities and improving outcomes in underserved populations. These grants are designed to empower local leaders and drive meaningful change in health equity. Upcoming grant cycles to highlight food security, maternal, rural, and behavioral health and will be distributed to partners across New York State through December 2026.
     
  • Local Activation: The HFYH campaign launches this fall with a robust schedule of regional activations, including curated special events, grassroots community engagement initiatives, and strategic partnerships tailored to each area across New York State. These efforts aim to amplify visibility, foster local connections, and drive meaningful impact at the community level.

To help fulfill the promise of Here for Your Health, Fidelis Care representatives will offer culturally competent services that promote the importance of healthy living and amplify the message: Fidelis Care is here for the health of every New Yorker – no matter who they are, where they live, or what challenges they face. For more information, visit fideliscare.org/here-for-you.


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. 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, 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.