CPR Class Memphis

To keep your heart in good shape, exercise goes hand in hand with a good diet. Exercise doesn’t mean you have to apply for a gym membership or run a marathon. It could be as simple as walking for a few minutes every day to start with, or doing household chores. Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay physically fit. It can do your ticker a world of good. Not to mention how safe a form of exercise it is during these unprecedented times as you can exercise outdoors instead of being cooped up in a gym with others. The biggest benefit of this exercise form is everyone has access to it. You can perform it almost anywhere, and if you have a treadmill at home, there’s nothing like it. The benefits of physical activity for the health of your ticker cannot be emphasized enough, which boosts heart rate, strengthens your ticker, and increases oxygenated blood flow through the body, helping more oxygen and nutrients to reach your organs. The benefits of exercise in helping reduce body fat, ...

Regardless of your age, you must work towards keeping your heart in good shape. While it is true the risk for heart disease increases with increasing age, the American youth is equally prone to heart disease these days. The factors responsible for rise in heart attacks in individuals aged 20-30 years old are diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking cigarettes and vaping, and substance abuse. Not to mention the stress, anxiety, loneliness, job loss amplified by the pandemic. This blog aims to throw light upon the various things you can do to strengthen your ticker. According to a study, following these practices even at age 50 can increase your life span by an extra 14 years for women, and an extra 12.2 years for men. Hopefully this is reason enough for you to jump on the path to heart health. Here are the lifestyle habits you should follow, regardless of age: Stop smoking - The importance of giving up this habit cannot be emphasized enough. Smoking makes it twice as likely to dev...

  The most important step toward keeping your heart in good shape for the longest possible time is by first becoming aware of your personal risk for heart disease. It’s not hidden from anyone that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and across the globe. There are many things that can put you at an increased risk for the same including age, gender, family history that you can’t do much about, then there are the risk factors you can modify including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and stress. It is important to become aware of your numbers including blood pressure, (LDL “bad”) cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If these numbers are on the higher range, it means you are at an increased risk for developing heart disease. The good thing is you can keep a check on these risk factors by adopting positive lifestyle measures such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Following healthy lifestyle measures...

Triglycerides or blood fats are an essential measure for the health of your heart. Triglycerides (high levels) increase an individual’s risk for having a heart attack or stroke. When looking at cardiovascular risk, all of us tend to look at LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol levels, often overlooking the triglycerides. However, extremely high levels (1,000 mg/dL or more) spell trouble for your ticker and can lead to acute pancreatitis. All these highlight the importance of monitoring this vital parameter closely. People may have high triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia) if they consume more calories than they can burn. A simple blood test can help you keep a track of the level of triglycerides in the blood. A value below 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or lower than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) indicates the level of triglycerides is in the normal range. Triglycerides ranging between 200 to 499 mg/dL is high, and triglycerides above 500 mg/dL or above is extreme...

Atrial Fibrillation, often called AFib, is the most common type of heart arrhythmia that prevents the top chambers of the heart from contracting normally. If you have AFib, you are not alone, as more than 2.7 million people have AFib in the United States, and that number continues to increase as the population ages. The sooner this irregular heartbeat (AFib) is diagnosed, the more likely you are to get appropriate treatment. So look out for the most common symptoms, including heart palpitations, irregular pulse, dizziness, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing or fatigue (the most common symptom). The best way to fight AFib and other heart conditions is by giving your lifestyle a healthy boost, which includes eating heart-healthy foods that are low in sodium and fat, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. It is as much important that your known health problems are being actively addressed and kept in check. Treatment options for individuals diagnos...

Heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests usually appear after cholesterol-rich plaque has suppurated for decades in arteries nourishing the heart and brain. It is a TRIGGER that makes one (a life-threatening event) happen at a particular time. When it comes to heart attacks, many of us are aware of the causes most likely to trigger a problem, which include obesity, inadequate physical exercise, high blood pressure, stress and smoking. But new research is finding other, unexpected triggers (less common factors) that can also put your heart at risk, ranging from anger and earthquakes to simply waking up in the morning. The ongoing search for triggers is paving ways to prevent potentially life-threatening cardiovascular events. Some triggers cause a sudden rise in blood pressure, while some make the heart beat faster and harder. Some might as well promote blood clot formation, constrict blood vessels, or cause bursts of inflammation. Any of these changes can set off proce...

It’s high time you moved over breast cancer as there’s a bigger, more dangerous killer around that has wreaked havoc on the world. We are talking about heart disease. Heart disease isn’t just a man’s problem, women are six times more likely to die of heart disease than other leading causes of death, including breast cancer. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of women across the United States. According to the American Heart Association, women are at an increased risk than men for heart disease and conditions associated with the disease. Still, many believe it’s a “man’s illness,” which is why many women don’t know the signs or skip the life-saving exams that could diagnose heart disease when it comes to health of their heart. It’s extremely important for women to understand how heart disease affects them and avoid these common heart health mistakes: Skipping Blood Pressure Screenings - Many women neglect their preventive health exams, including routine blood pres...

Medication is an important part of the treatment plan for a heart failure (HF) patient, who may need multiple medications. Multiple medications because each one treats a different symptom or a contributing factor, and each comes with its own set of instructions. It’s important that you work with your healthcare team to understand the medications and when, how often and in what dosage to take them. Follow these tips to get a better understanding of heart failure medications: Learn about the medications that have been prescribed - As there are different types of HF medications to treat different symptoms or aspects of heart failure, it’s essential to understand what they’re prescribed to treat and why they’re being prescribed. It is critical for people with heart failure to take their medications exactly as directed by their healthcare provider to optimize the benefits. Correct use of these drugs can prolong life and improve the heart’s function. Bring your concerns direc...

You can get the most from your cardiac treatment plan through your active involvement with the medical team. Taking an active role in your cardiac care can ensure good heart health. Here are some tips to follow: Prepare For Your First Visit With A Cardiologist - In order to get the most out of your appointment with a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon, it is suggested you are well prepared. Write down each and every question concerning your heart, ask a family member to accompany you on your visit and take notes of whatever the doctor says. Try to provide as much information to your doctor as possible in terms of medication you are currently on, allergies that you have, information on any previous cardiac procedures or tests, any recent hospitalization or emergency room visits and more. Become Aware Of Your Health History- Knowledge about your medications and major medical history can be a lifesaver in an emergency or if you are traveling. Store important health informatio...

You can reap a lot of benefits following a Mediterranean diet. At the same time, there are a lot of misconceptions with regards to how exactly to take advantage of the lifestyle to lead a healthier life. The biggest benefit is incorporating the diet can hugely reduce your risk of heart disease. Heart disease increases the risk for life-threatening cardiac emergencies, such as a cardiac arrest. A victim struck with a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) would require treatment right away for survival. CPR can save a victim’s life when a person’s ticker suddenly stops beating (an event known as a cardiac arrest). CPR comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths. In the event of an SCA, the ticker stops sending oxygenated blood to the body and brain, either because it is beating too fast and too irregularly, or because it has stopped beating completely. Delay in treatment can cause death in minutes. CPR procedure can be beneficial in this regard which keeps blood circulating until trained fir...

The ejection fraction (EF) can be defined as the amount, or percentage, of blood that is pumped out of the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) with each contraction. The EF number, or this percentage helps your doctor determine how your ticker is functioning. Better management of heart failure (HF) can lead to a better EF. You may be able to help yourself experience fewer symptoms and achieve a greater sense of well-being by managing your heart failure properly and following your treatment plan. Plus, you may also see an improvement, or even a recovery of your ticker’s ejection fraction. It should be noted that individuals with improved EF tend to not only have fewer hospitalizations, but also have better overall outcomes. Consult Your Doctor Regarding Improving Your EF - Consulting your doctor can help you draft a realistic plan. Your doctor or other healthcare provider will offer the best recommendations, which is crucial as what works for another person, may not be ...