The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions.

The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart attack.

The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle.

Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia.

When these events happen, symptoms may include:

• Heart attack – Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath
• Heart failure – Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins
• Arryhthmia – Fluttering feelings on the chest (palpitations)

How to Lower Your Risk of A Heart Attack

If you have had a heart attack, you can lower your chances of having future heart health problems with these steps:

• Physical activity – Talk with your health care team about the things you do each day in your life and work.
  • Your doctor may want you to limit work, travel or sexual activity for some time after a heart attack.
• Lifestyle changes – Eating a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing stress, in addition to taking prescribed medicines, can help improve your heart health and quality of life.
• Cardiac rehabilitation – This is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care.

Cardiac rehab is a supervised program that includes:

• Physical activity
• Education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking
• Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health

At Assisting Hands® Home Care, our caregivers are trained, bonded, insured, and prepared to maximize the best assistance with the needs of individuals with heart disease.

With our caregivers by your side 24/7, you never have to be alone.  And having heart disease and being alone is never a good combination.  Let someone take care of you.

Care is our business and responsibility.  Call us today to arrange care for you or your loved one.

Refer a friend who needs home care.