February’s Healthy Living Program Series “Heart Disease” was presented by Autumn Ferringer, Wesbury’s Assistant Director of Nursing.  Autumn’s presentation explained how to prevent heart-related complications and what you should bring to the attention of a doctor or nurse. Below are points made by Autumn during her program.

Healthy Habits to Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure

 A normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Follow these steps to reach this goal. Prolonged high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart failure, or a heart attack.

• Maintain a healthy weight: Try not to gain extra weight. Lose weight if you are overweight. Try losing weight slowly, about one or two pounds each week until you reach a healthy weight.
• Be physically active: Do at least two hours and thirty minutes of activity at a moderate level each week. You can walk, dance, play sports, or do any activity you enjoy.
• Cut back on foods high in salt: Buy food marked “sodium free,” “low sodium,” or “reduced sodium.” DO NOT add extra salt to food.
• Eat Foods that have a lot of nutrients: This includes vegetables and fruits, whole-grain breads and cereals, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
• Cut back on Alcohol: Men who drink should have no more than one or two drinks each day. Women who drink should have no more than one drink a day.

Know the signs and symptoms of heart failure.

Heart failure could be attributed to a number of problems. This includes a weak heart that can’t pump properly and doesn’t have the strength to push blood through the body.  Symptoms can include fatigue or feeling lightheaded, shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, buildup of fluid or swelling in legs and feet, nausea or lack of appetite, confusion or impaired thinking, or a high heart rate. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a nurse or a doctor.

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