What are your Heart Healthy New Year Resolutions this Year?

Well 2015 has come to a close and 2016 is here and one thing we all try and do is make health conscious New Year Resolutions that we often times bite off more than we can chew so to speak. We tend to make resolutions that involve joining a gym and going full speak ahead with fitness workouts and try our best to do proper food and nutrition which is great to make life changes but we need to do it in a safe and healthy way. If you are unfamiliar to physical exercise and increasing the heart rate, it can have an opposite reaction if you are in poor health/shape to start with. I would encourage you to seek a family doctor to get the go ahead for strenuous exercise and make sure your heart can handle the change in routine. Often times we think, we are exercising and there is no way we can have a heart attack, but the fact is, you can have a heart attack with a sudden change in physical activity. The American Heart Association says, “being physically active is important to prevent heart disease and stroke, the nation’s  No. 1 and No. 5 killers. To improve overall cardiovascular health, we suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember. You will also experience benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.  -- For people who would benefit from lowering their blood pressure or cholesterol, we recommend 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity three to four times a week to lower the risk for heart attack and stroke.” (full article here) It is suggested that if you do not participate in physical activity, to start with small blocks of 10-15 minute sessions and work your way up to 30 minutes and even 45 minutes before you get to that one hour mark. You want to strive to get your heart rate up in order to strengthen you heart. Another thing we can do to help increase our heart health is limit the fat rich foods and fried foods. As someone from a southern state, we like to fry everything. Decreasing the amount of fried foods in your diet can dramatically decrease your chances of having a heart attack as well. When making life changes, some of the signs and symptoms you want to look for is tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, squeezing sensation and even jaw, arm and back pain all could be signs and symptoms of a heart attack. If you experience numbness and weakness on one side of the body as well as slurred speech and loss of motor control on one side of the body, this could be signs and symptoms of a stroke. Please do not discount any of these symptoms, because they could be life threatening if untreated. For better results in making life changes, and beginning rigorous physical activity, especially when you have not done any, please consult your family physician in order to for you to gain maximum health results. Happy Heart Healthy New Year!!

Barbara Jackson

Barbara Jackson worked through college as a non-traditional student earning her Master of Science degree in health science focusing in health education. Barbara then went on to set for her national credential exam in 2011 earning her CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) credential as well as being a Licensed Training Provider. Barbara has found her calling as a teacher and began working as a volunteer with the American Red Cross and became a CPR instructor for the Red Cross in 2007, since this time she has earned her teaching credential for American Heart Association and National Safety Council. Barbara is also an adjunct instructor for Arkansas Tech University teaching Responding to Emergencies: Comprehensive First Aid/CPR courses.

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Well 2015 has come to a close and 2016 is here and one thing we all try and do is make health conscious New Year Resolutions that we often times bite off more than we can chew so to speak. We tend to make resolutions that involve joining a gym and going full speak ahead with fitness workouts and try our best to do proper food and nutrition which is great to make life changes but we need to do it in a safe and healthy way. If you are unfamiliar to physical exercise and increasing the heart rate, it can have an opposite reaction if you are in poor health/shape to start with. I would encourage you to seek a family doctor to get the go ahead for strenuous exercise and make sure your heart can handle the change in routine. Often times we think, we are exercising and there is no way we can have a heart attack, but the fact is, you can have a heart attack with a sudden change in physical activity. The American Heart Association says, “being physically active is important to prevent heart disease and stroke, the nation’s  No. 1 and No. 5 killers. To improve overall cardiovascular health, we suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember. You will also experience benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.  -- For people who would benefit from lowering their blood pressure or cholesterol, we recommend 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity three to four times a week to lower the risk for heart attack and stroke.” (full article here) It is suggested that if you do not participate in physical activity, to start with small blocks of 10-15 minute sessions and work your way up to 30 minutes and even 45 minutes before you get to that one hour mark. You want to strive to get your heart rate up in order to strengthen you heart. Another thing we can do to help increase our heart health is limit the fat rich foods and fried foods. As someone from a southern state, we like to fry everything. Decreasing the amount of fried foods in your diet can dramatically decrease your chances of having a heart attack as well. When making life changes, some of the signs and symptoms you want to look for is tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, squeezing sensation and even jaw, arm and back pain all could be signs and symptoms of a heart attack. If you experience numbness and weakness on one side of the body as well as slurred speech and loss of motor control on one side of the body, this could be signs and symptoms of a stroke. Please do not discount any of these symptoms, because they could be life threatening if untreated. For better results in making life changes, and beginning rigorous physical activity, especially when you have not done any, please consult your family physician in order to for you to gain maximum health results. Happy Heart Healthy New Year!!

Vlad Magdalin

Passionate reader | People person | The one behind All dad jokes