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His National Heart Month and health care providers paint the city in red, as we always do in February. But what does everyone mean? How do all the news about cardiac care affect you and your loved ones? Well, it's important that you know two main things.
A: We are making huge progress in the fight against heart disease, the most deadly in the country.
There are better medications available, allowing your family doctor and cardiologist to help you control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, prevent blood clots and slow the progression of coronary heart disease.
We have more refined screening testsand we are better able to interpret the results, allowing us to tailor your care to the unique combination of factors that define your condition – and to tailor care to your situation.
We continue to refine our damage repair techniques your heart and your cardiovascular system to dramatically reduce the need for incisions and allow many procedures to be performed without spending the night in hospital – something unimaginable just 10 years ago.
And for advanced diseases, even "major" surgeries are now performed minimally. In fact, thanks to the revolutionary technology of our hybrid operating rooms at the Maimonides Medical Center, we can now perform multiple procedures safely under one anesthesia, which further shortens stays in the hospital and improves the results for the patients.
The extent to which we can detect, manage, repair and correct heart disease is quite amazing nowadays.
Partly because of all of the above, we live longer collectively. And while this is certainly good news, there is a potential disadvantage: as we age, we will increasingly need to be treated for heart disease. And that brings us to a discussion of our other important message.
TWO: We can learn to minimize our health risks and take full advantage of a longer life in this golden age of modern medicine and advanced technologies.
You probably have a lot of questions about what you should do first. Should I take an aspirin daily? Is dark chocolate good for heart disease? Is it okay to drink red wine at dinner? Which supplements will help me beat the odds? Do I need special exercise machines?
You hear these stories in the news and on the Internet all the time. But we are here to tell you:
Take a breath and relax. In fact, reducing stress in general is one way to reduce your risk of heart disease! You can reduce the level of stress by avoiding the factors that trigger your tension. If this is not possible, find other ways to relax. For some, the exercise works better. For others, staying quietly outside or just reading a book or magazine, a diversion can work wonders. Find your best hobby and relieve it often.
Ignore new constants of gadgets and shortcuts to good healthand think of the common sense advice you've heard over the years. It may sound like a cliché, but moderation is really the key. Too much of everything can cause health problems, so think about your habits and make a few small changes.
Be aware of your key figures and consult your doctor on ways to improve them. We mainly talk about blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and blood sugar – your doctor will check them regularly during your exams.
Learn as much as you can about your family health history. Your doctor will know what is important in this history and will recommend additional screening tests if you are at a higher risk of contracting certain types of heart disease. And do not worry – we can not help what we inherited in terms of risk factors, but we still have a long way to go to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce our risk. Continue reading.
Eat healthy. For most people, it simply means adding more vegetables and whole grains to your diet and minimizing refined sugar and added salt. Most people do not give up, just eat more good things, as our mothers always tell us. And less bad things. Period.
Become more active. Take a brisk walk every day. Yes, it's as simple as that. You do not need any special equipment or subscription to a gym. But, if you want to participate in a program, do not exclude this possibility. In addition to the known benefits of regular exercise on health, joining a group with a friend can increase your chances of following a healthier routine.
Disconnect regularly from the digital world. We are all likely to use at least two electronic devices each day – and many of us use four or more. These modern miracles of communication can facilitate many things in our lives, but their risks are more important than their benefits if we let them take control of our lives.
Maimonides staff members wear red clothing to protect their heart and draw attention to the fight against cardiovascular disease.
Socialize with family, friends and neighbors. We recommend that all our patients talk in person to their favorite people as often as possible. Join clubs and volunteer to help others. It has been shown that all these activities improve your health, both physically and mentally.
If you have mild symptoms, let your doctor examine you. and determine if you need additional help, testing or medication. You are not alone in your quest for well-being.
And if you have a sudden perceptible symptom – tightness in the chest, chest pain, irregular or fast heartbeat, swelling of the legs, fainting – do not go on the Internet. See you at the emergency of a cardiology hospital like the Maimonides Medical Center for immediate evaluation. Getting the right care right away can save your life. It can also mean the difference between a life with many limitations and a complete recovery.
In short, the two key elements are: we beat our heart disease every day with tremendous progress, and each of us can improve our cardiovascular health in a modest way, starting today.
Now, you know what it's all about. Let's use Heart Month to remind ourselves to be good to ourselves, make healthier choices, enjoy life and continue to win the battle against heart disease.
The authors lead the prestigious Heart & Vascular Institute of the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, ranked # 1 in New York for heart care, and among the best cardiac hospitals in the country, both by the NYS and the federal government. For more information on the many groundbreaking achievements of the cardiovascular team at Maimonides, log on to nycHeart.org or call 718.283.8902.
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