Ways to Help Keep Your Heart Strong
Your heart is a muscle, just like the biceps in your arms. Over time, coronary artery disease (CAD) can weaken the heart's pumping power and lead to heart failure or arrhythmias.
These conditions can be dangerous -- even life-threatening. But you can take steps to strengthen your heart and help prevent arrhythmias and heart failure.
Arrhythmias: Not Just Butterflies
In novels, it's romantic when someone's heart skips a beat. In reality, a fluttering feeling in your chest could signify arrhythmia -- a problem with your heart's speed or rhythm.Some arrhythmias can reduce your heart's ability to pump enough blood or stop your heartbeat completely.
To help stay safe:
- Call 9-1-1 if you experience arrhythmia warning signs for more than five minutes. These include a fast or irregular heartbeat with anxiety, sweating, dizziness or chest pain.
- Find ways to deal with stress, which can trigger arrhythmias and heart attacks. Try yoga, meditation or simply talking with a friend.
- Ask your doctor about medications called statins. Studies show that besides lowering cholesterol, they help protect against some types of arrhythmias.
Heart Failure: Losing Pumping Force
With heart failure, your heart can't push enough blood through your body. You may feel tired and out of breath, and your legs and abdomen may swell. Heart failure can limit your daily activities and shorten your life.To help prevent heart failure:
- See your doctor regularly.
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet full of lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Exercise regularly -- for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days of the week.
- Limit alcohol intake. The limit for men is two drinks a day. For women, it's one drink.
Go Red for Women in February
Join Northwest Texas Healthcare System in February at the American Heart Association's annual Go Red for Women celebration. The event will feature educational sessions, lunch, a keynote speaker, screenings and door prizes.WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Tickets cost $25 each. For more information, please call 806-457-0090 or send an email to shanna.collins@heart.org.
Don't forget: Show your support for the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red on the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 5.
