A Happy and Healthy Heart for February
Shown pictured are Holzer Cardiovascular Services providers, left to right: Choudhary Rayani, MD, Ramesh Chandra, MD, and Robert Bradley, DO.
February is recognized as American Heart Month. Now is the perfect time to learn about your risk for heart disease and the steps you can take to keep your heart healthy. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) stated that heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States. Heart disease can happen at any age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of all Americans are experiencing or have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease, which are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Other conditions that may increase your risk of heart disease include obesity, diabetes, not staying physically active, and an unhealthy diet.
“Every year, about 805,000 Americans have a heart attack and currently 6.2 million Americans are living with Congestive Heart Failure,” David Fields MSN, RN, APRN-CNP, Director of Operations, Holzer Cardiology and Pulmonology said. “The Cardiopulmonary Care Team here at Holzer supports these patients by assisting with medications, providing education about lifestyle changes, and answering any questions or concerns while coordinating care across the healthcare continuum.”
People who have close relationships, whether at home, work, or in their communities, tend to be healthier and live longer according to NHLBI. This is because when we work with others, we are more successful at reaching our health goals. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to help us protect and strengthen our hearts with the help of others.
By staying connected with others and taking control of your health, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease. One way to do this is to stay active and find a friend to keep each other accountable, even if you both just walk for 30 minutes a day. The CDC and NHLBI recommend to not smoke or find a way to break the habit if you do smoke. Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and aim for foods that are low in sodium, trans fat, saturated fat, and added sugar. Try to reduce your stress as much as possible and strive for sleeping 7-8 hours each night.
Our physicians manage a variety of heart and vascular conditions and have a Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation team to help you get back to feeling better than ever.
“Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular and pulmonary health,” shared Fields. “Holzer provides Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation at three locations, Sycamore Branch in Gallipolis, Meigs Clinic in Pomeroy, and Jackson Clinic on Pattonsville Road in Jackson, Ohio.”
Holzer has assembled a staff of the region’s most qualified team of cardiac physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff. Using the most technologically advanced cardiac equipment and procedures, Holzer is devoted to delivering the very best in cardiac care.
Holzer Cardiovascular Services providers include Robert Bradley, DO, Ramesh Chandra, MD, David Fields, NP, Jarrod Gilmore, NP, Mauja Rajan, NP, Choudhary Rayani, MD, and John Wells, PA-C. Our providers manage a variety of heart and vascular conditions including: Coronary Artery Disease (hardening of the arteries), Cardiac Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), Heart Valve Disease, Heart Conditions associated with Diabetes, Lung Diseases, Vein and Vascular Disease. Services include: cardiopulmonary testing, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology/heart rhythm management, peripheral vascular disease, vein center, cardio/pulmonary rehabilitation, and pulmonary services.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.holzer.org or call 1-855-4-HOLZER.
