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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesHeart Disease

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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Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Taking Care of Our Skin
4/27/2026 • Posted by Dr. Sarah Ryan

skin-cancer-awareness-month

Our skin protects us every day. It protects us at work, at play, and when we spend time outdoors.

While skin cancer is common, it is often preventable. Skin cancer is easier to treat when found early. Knowing what to look for and how to protect your skin can help keep you healthy.

Common Skin Cancer Myths and Facts

Myth: Only people with fair skin get skin cancer.
Fact: Skin cancer can affect people of all skin tones. It is often found later in people with darker skin, which can make it more serious.

Myth: A tan is a sign of healthy skin.
Fact: A tan is a sign of skin damage. Any change in skin color from the sun means your skin has been harmed.

Myth: You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days.
Fact: UV rays can pass through clouds. Sun protection is important every day, even when it’s not sunny outside.

Myth: Tanning beds are safer than the sun.
Fact: Tanning beds use UV rays that can increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most serious and aggressive type of skin cancer. There is no safe way to tan.

Myth: Skin cancer is not serious.
Fact: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. Some types can be life threatening if not found early.

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer happens when skin cells grow in a harmful way. This often happens after many years of exposure to UV rays, an invisible form of energy produced by the sun or man-made sources like tanning beds.

Skin Cancer Can Affect Anyone

Skin cancer can affect anyone, no matter their age, skin color, or background. While some people may have a higher risk, everyone benefits from protecting their skin and knowing the warning signs.

Risk factors include:

  • Spending a lot of time in the sun
  • Using tanning beds
  • Sunburns, especially as a child
  • A personal or family history of skin cancer
  • A weakened immune system

Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin

You can lower your risk of skin cancer by:

  • Using broad‑spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days
  • Wearing hats, sunglasses, and sun‑protective clothing
  • Staying in the shade during the middle of the day
  • Avoiding tanning beds and sunlamps
  • Taking extra care to protect children’s skin

Know the Signs

Knowing your skin can help you notice changes early. Checking your skin often and helping family members do the same is a simple way to look out for one another.

Watch for:

  • New spots or moles
  • Spots that change in size, shape, or color
  • Sores that do not heal
  • Spots that itch, bleed, or hurt

The American Cancer Society offers tips on what skin changes to watch for and when to see a doctor.

What to Do If Something Doesn’t Look Right

If you notice a change in your skin that worries you, don’t wait. Getting it checked early can make care easier and more effective. Fidelis Care members should schedule a visit with an in‑network dermatologist to take the next step with confidence.