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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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September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
8/26/2024 • Posted by Dr. Thomas Raskauskas, Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the ovary. It can spread throughout the body. It is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers. There are different types of ovarian cancer. The most common type of ovarian cancer is abnormal growth of the cells on the surface of the ovary, and is called epithelial ovarian cancer.

How common is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. It is estimated that in 2024, there will be 19,680 new cases of ovarian cancer, and 12,740 deaths from ovarian cancer.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

There is no set of symptoms that are specific to ovarian cancer. Common symptoms include bloating, getting full quickly after eating, and bladder symptoms. Some people experience vaginal bleeding. If you experience these symptoms for two weeks or more, you should see your healthcare provider.

Is there a screening test for ovarian cancer?

Unfortunately, there are no screening tests to help detect ovarian cancer.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Because there are no specific symptoms that help to detect ovarian cancer, it is usually diagnosed when the cancer has already spread. On a physical exam, there may be masses felt in the pelvis. Healthcare providers can do imaging studies that may show growths on the ovaries or in the abdomen.

What are risk factors for ovarian cancer?

Your risk of getting ovarian cancer increases:

  • With age, especially after middle age
  • If your mother, sister, aunt, niece, or grandmother has/had ovarian cancer
  • If you have a family or personal history of a genetic mutation called BRCA1 or BRCA2, or with Lynch Syndrome
  • If you are Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish
  • If you do not have children
  • If you have endometriosis (cells from the lining of the uterus grow in other areas of the pelvis and abdomen)

How can I reduce the risk of getting ovarian cancer?

You may lower your risk of getting ovarian cancer by:

  • Using birth control for 5 or more years
  • Having surgery to remove your ovaries and/or fallopian tubes
  • Having children

Some individuals choose to have their ovaries and or fallopian tubes removed to lower the risk of ovarian cancer, especially if they have relatives with ovarian cancer or genetic defects. This is also recommended for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations between ages 35 to 45, or when childbearing is complete. It may also be recommended for women with Lynch syndrome.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

Usually, treatment starts with surgery to find how far the cancer has spread, and to remove as much of the cancer as possible. It is then usually followed with chemotherapy.

Where can I learn more about ovarian cancer?

For more information, visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.