Healthy Tips - February 2010 - UT Medical Center

Healthy Tips - February 2010

HEALTHY TIP - Feb. 22, 2010

Recognize signs of a heart attack. February is American Heart Month – the time to spread awareness about heart disease including heart attack, heart disease and how to prevent them. Not only can knowing the signs of a heart attack save someone’s life, but it could save your own. Recognizing a heart attack can get you or someone else the treatment you need as quickly as possible. Getting to the hospital fast allows use of clot-busting drugs that can stop or reduce a heart attack. For these to help, you must receive them within 6 hours after your symptoms start.

The following are signs of a heart attack you should be familiar with.

Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, tightness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, shoulders or stomach.
Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Breaking out in a cold sweat
Anxiety
Coughing
Less common signs may include seizures, fatigue, difficulty breathing when lying down or low blood pressure.

If you think you or someone around you is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. You should speak to your doctor regularly about your heart health. Click here for help making an appointment.

HEALTHY TIP - Feb. 15, 2010

Know your heart disease risk factors. Heart disease remains the number-one killer among U.S. men and women and affects people of all ages and ethnicity. Your heart health depends on many things such as eating and exercise habits, family history and more. Some of these risk factors you can prevent/reduce. American Heart Month (February) recognizes these risks and spreads the word about good heart health.

The best way to prevent heart disease is by eating healthy, exercising often, avoiding smoking and controlling such things as cholesterol and blood pressure. Controlling diabetes and also losing weight will help prevent heart attack. Here are heart disease risk factors you should know about.

Increasing Age (particularly over age 55)
Gender (Women now have higher risk)
Family History
Tobacco Smoke
High Cholesterol
Diabetes
Lack of Regular Exercise
Overweight / obese
Hypertension / high blood pressure
Race

If you have any of these risk factors, you should speak with your doctor. Controlling your risks will help you stay in good health and prevent further diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Click here for help making an appointment.

HEALTHY TIP - Feb. 9, 2010

Chocolate can be good for you. Most people love chocolate. If you crave chocolate, there may be good news. Chocolate doesn’t have to be bad for you. In fact, there are lower calorie alternatives to fill chocolate cravings without overeating on calories with recipes such as fruit dipped in dark chocolate that satisfy chocolate appetites without the guilt.

Cocoa contains antioxidants that may help prevent cholesterol from sticking to artery walls, reducing risk of heart attack or stroke. So, chocolate with high cocoa content is most beneficial. Chocolate also contains flavonoids and antioxidants, which may benefit cardiovascular health.

According to the National Confectioners Association, 65% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate – but dark is better for you. One ounce of dark chocolate has approximately 150 calories, so enjoying this treat in moderation is better heart health while helping the waistline. Milk chocolate and white chocolate contain more sugar and do not have the same nutritional benefits as dark chocolate.

Of course, moderation is important in a healthy diet. Even though studies suggest that chocolate can be good for you, you still have to count the fat and calories. But the good news is that you don’t have to cut out chocolate, just continue to eat chocolate in moderation.

Always eat in moderation, make healthy choices and speak with your doctor before changing your diet. Click here for help making an appointment.

Related Articles & Resources
Try these great chocolate recipes:

Chocolate Crepes with Berries
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse
Lighter Chocolate Pudding Cake

HEALTHY TIP - Feb. 1, 2010

Eat a good breakfast. If you are looking to cut calories, you may be tempted to skip breakfast. Many people skip breakfast just to save some time in the morning. However, eating breakfast has actually proven to help you lose weight, and it keeps your energy up throughout the day.

People who skip breakfast usually end up consuming more calories throughout the day. Research has shown that eating breakfast reduces hunger later in the day, helps you eat fewer calories as well as gives you energy and increases your physical activity. A meal in the morning helps jump start your metabolism with the nutrition it needs to help keep you physically active.

No time for breakfast? Try these fast and nutritious options.

Slice of cantaloupe with cottage cheese
Whole grain cereal with sliced strawberries
Oatmeal with berries or nuts
Low fat yogurt with low fat granola or fresh fruit such as berries or pineapple
Fresh fruit salad
Scrambled egg white on whole-wheat toast
Superfood smoothie
Harvest Pankcakes (a little more time consuming – but so tasty!)

Don’t skip breakfast while on your way to a fitter you. Make healthy choices and speak with your doctor before changing your diet. Click here for help making an appointment.

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Healthy Tips - February 2010