Every February is American Heart Month, which is a time to raise awareness and help educate on the dangers of heart disease and things every person can do to try to keep their heart ticking.
You’ve probably heard a lot of statistics and know the main ways to keep your heart healthy, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information. So, MercyOne Urgent Care is here to offer you some very simple steps recommended by the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic to help you on your journey to keep your heart in tip-top condition.
The first is exercise, which aside from keeping you healthy also improves your mood. However, if you can’t squeeze in a full workout, don’t worry. Instead, if you’re at an office take a break and get up from your desk every couple of hours and walk around for five or ten minutes. Not only will this help you clear your mind, it will also help you get some good cardio in. Another good tip is to park further away from buildings you’re going to so you can get some extra steps in.
Another really important factor is to make sure you manage your stress levels. Not only does stress cause people to fall back on unhealthy habits (such as smoking, over-eating, or drinking), it can put strain on your body. When you feel stress, your body produces a hormone called cortisol, and high levels of cortisol can increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. So even if you’re being careful with your diet, too much stress can cause them to rise to dangerous levels if you aren’t able to manage your stress well.
People should be sure to get random blood pressure checks. Hypertension is the key factor of heart disease. It’s called the ’silent killer’ because most people don’t realize they have it.
Lisa Bishop, Vice-President of Training and Clinical Development
Finally, remember the Boy Scout motto- be prepared. The best way to avoid heart issues is to catch early warning signs, and one excellent way to do that is to get a physical, which you can get at any MercyOne Urgent Care clinic. By getting a yearly physical examination, you can catch early symptoms of serious issues, as well as get some guidance on better steps you can take to help improve your overall health. We also consulted with Lisa Bishop, who is not only a Nurse Practitioner, but is also our Vice-President of Training and Clinical Development. According to her, “People should be sure to get random blood pressure checks. Hypertension is the key factor of heart disease. It’s called the ’silent killer’ because most people don’t realize they have it.” Early detection saves lives.
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MercyOne Urgent Care is here to help you feel like you’re at the top of your game every day. We offer the highest level of quality care with the highest level of service and can take care of minor illnesses and injuries. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, be sure to go straight to the nearest Emergency Room. If you have any questions or want to check-in online and skip the wait, visit our locations page.