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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The Overlap of Mental Health and Physical Health

5/1/2024 • Posted by Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright, Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health, and Dr. Celeste Johns, HARP Medical Director

Group of people running

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental, physical, and social health are linked. They impact each other. This is called the “mind-body connection.” There is no complete health without mental health.

Many studies show that poor physical health can lead to mental health problems. These may include depression, low motivation, and anxiety. Poor mental health also can lead to physical problems. These may include chronic pain, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The brain is the body’s “control center.” It sends and receives messages throughout the body. A study from 2014 found that 1 in 5 new visits to a primary care provider (PCP) were for “medically unexplained symptoms.” This refers to symptoms not based on clear medical issues such as fractures or chronic illnesses like arthritis. Instead, they were likely based – at least in part – on psychological issues.

Wellness activities can help keep you healthy. Focus on:

Nutrition. A well-balanced diet provides nutrients and vitamins to keep your brain and body working correctly.
Hydration. Drinking enough water every day is important for clear thinking and a stable mood.
Exercise. Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. It also boosts confidence and energy.
Sleep. Get enough restful sleep. Most people need between 6 and 9 hours of sleep a day.
Social well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic and our current online lifestyles showed us the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation. A lack of social interaction can decrease life expectancy and lead to poor mental health.
Illness management: See your PCP for annual wellness checks. Take all medications and treatments as prescribed by your PCP. Symptoms of illness can worsen other mental health conditions and might lead to anxiety, stress, or depression.
Avoid substance use. Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other drugs can have negative physical effects, lower your mood, and lead to other mental illnesses.
Self-care practices. Try meditation, practicing acts of kindness and gratitude, and setting clear boundaries on your time and energy. Spending time in nature can help you take care of your health and well-being.

Your best physical health is important for your mental health, and vice versa. Take care of your mental and physical health, practice self-care, and do daily wellness activities to be at your best.

Sources:

https://www.who.int/

https://www.nih.gov/

https://healthupwardlymobile.net/mental-health

Br J Gen Pract. 2016 Oct; 66(651): 506–507.

doi: 10.3399/bjgp16X687157