Contact Us | Call for your FREE in-home assessment 781-245-1880

ABC Home Healthcare Professionals
  • HOME
  • WHY CHOOSE ABC
  • SERVICES
  • HOME CARE NEWS
  • CAREERS
  • PAY MY BILL
  • HOME
  • WHY CHOOSE ABC
  • SERVICES
  • HOME CARE NEWS
  • CAREERS
  • PAY MY BILL

ABC's LATEST

Home Care News, Advice and More
February 11, 2021

February is American Heart Month

How to Live a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

February is American Heart Month. During this time, ABC is not only committed to life at home but we are committed to educating the public on heart disease which happens to be the most common killer of all Americans- ABC Go Red for Women 2021especially women! Statistics from the American Heart Association suggest that every year 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease. This is why February 5th has been named as National Wear Red Day (also known as the “Go Red for Women” initiative). The “Go Red for Women” initiative was established to spread awareness of the disease and highlight ways to prevent it.

While the term “heart disease” refers to a variety of heart conditions, the most notable is coronary artery disease (CAD) which affects blood flow to the heart. This decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack. By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at normal levels which ultimately helps lower your risk for heart disease and/or a heart attack.

One of the peculiar things about heart disease is that it is not always easy to pinpoint and diagnose. Heart disease can go undetected for an extended period before manifesting itself as a full-fledged heart attack. Therefore, it is critical to understand the symptoms of a heart attack and heart failure so you can recognize these symptoms in yourself and others.

Know the symptoms of a heart attack and heart failure

Often times, if someone is having a heart attack, they will experience some chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heart burn, nausea or vomiting. They may experience increased fatigue, upper body discomfort, flutters in the chest, dizziness and/or shortness of breath. Similarly, if someone has heart failure, they are experiencing shortness of breath and increased fatigue but they also may have increased swelling in their feet, abdomen, ankles, legs or veins in their neck.

Especially this year with the coronavirus pandemic, recognizing heart attack/heart failure symptoms can be a challenge as some of the symptoms bear a striking resemblance to those of COVID-19. Regardless of whether you think your symptoms may be COVID related or heart related, it is important that you seek medical attention immediately!

So, what causes heart disease anyway?

High blood pressure and cholesterol, an unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, excessive nicotine usage and alcohol consumption can increase an individual’s risk for heart disease. For these reasons and many more, it is vital to commit to a healthy lifestyle.

Four tips for living a heart healthy lifestyle are as follows:

  1. Incorporate healthy foods and drinks into your normal diet
    Avoid food and drinks with a high salt and sugar content, stay away from saturated and trans fats and include more high-fiber foods in your daily routine.
  2. Watch your weight
    As people who are overweight and/or obese are more likely to have heart disease, it is important to regularly monitor your weight. Consult a nutritionist if you are struggling with finding a manageable and sustainable meal choices.
  3. Work out often
    Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and it can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol as well blood sugar levels.
  4. Don’t smoke
    S
    moking, including e-cigarettes, greatly increases one’s chances for heart disease. If you are a smoker, it is best to consult your physician to develop a plan to kick this dangerous habit.

Fighting the fight against heart disease

With increased restrictions in hospitals and physician offices as part of their COVID-19 protocol, many routine appointments have gone virtual. Providers are relying more on telehealth technology to see and connect with their clients. Most people have been able to adapt to this new standard of care. However there are many individuals who have not adjusted so easily- such as the elderly, children and anyone else who either do not have access to the technology required or struggle with a language barrier. As a result, some routine appointments have been rescheduled and these people are not getting the care and attention needed to ensure they are truly healthy and/or that there have not been any notable changes or declines in their overall health.

The Nursing Team at ABC encourages you to adhere to standing, routine appointments with your physician(s) and our nurses urge you to advise your friends and family members to do the same.

#HeartHealth
Previous StoryCOVID-19 Vaccine: How to get it
Next StoryMassachusetts Announces New COVID Vaccine Location Finder

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Past Issues of Our E-newsletter

Missed an issue? Read it online!

• February 2023
• January 2023
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• July 14, 2022
• June 21, 2022
• June 1, 2022
• May 2022
• April 2022
• March 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• July 2021
• June 2021
• May 2021
• April 2021
• March 2021
• February 2021

Sign Up for ABC's Monthly Newsletter

Have ABC's newsletter delivered right to your inbox.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: ABC Home Healthcare Professionals, 233 Albion Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880, http://www.abchhp.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Recent Posts

  • Tax Tips for Older Adults March 15, 2023
  • Retirement January 16, 2023
  • Resources November 10, 2022
  • Caregiver Burnout November 10, 2022
  • Breast Cancer Awareness October 18, 2022

Categories Dropdown

Archive

  • March 2023 (1)
  • January 2023 (1)
  • November 2022 (2)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • September 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (2)
  • July 2022 (1)
  • June 2022 (2)
  • May 2022 (2)
  • April 2022 (3)
  • March 2022 (2)
  • February 2022 (2)
  • January 2022 (2)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (3)
  • September 2021 (4)
  • June 2021 (2)
  • May 2021 (6)
  • April 2021 (3)
  • March 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (5)
  • December 2020 (3)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • August 2020 (1)
  • July 2020 (1)
  • June 2020 (2)
  • May 2020 (4)
  • April 2020 (3)
  • March 2020 (3)
  • February 2020 (1)
  • November 2019 (1)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (1)
  • July 2019 (4)
  • June 2019 (2)
  • May 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (3)
  • March 2019 (3)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (3)
  • December 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (1)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • February 2018 (2)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (1)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • March 2017 (2)
  • February 2017 (1)

OFFICE LOCATIONS

ABC Home Healthcare
Corporate Office:
233 Albion St.
Wakefield MA 01880

Regional Offices:
Gloucester – 281R East Main St.

Lawrence – 354 Merrimack St.
Bldg 1 Entrance A Suite 277

Phone: 781-245-1880
Email info@abchhp.com

PREFERRED PROVIDER

ABC is an approved vendor for:
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
• Area Hospice Providers
• Long Term Care Insurers
• Veterans Administration

MEMBERSHIPS

ABC is an active member of:
• Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
• Home Care Aide Council
• SOMWBA Certified Women Business Enterprise
• Aging & Disability Resource Consortium of the Greater North Shore

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • ABC CAREGIVNG TEAM INFORMATION

Copyright © ABC Home Healthcare Professionals. All Rights Reserved