Health Tips

TIPS FOR ADULTS: 

1. Become familiar with a cardiologist.  Visit them yearly.  This one visit can prevent an impending heart attack, or even maintain a healthy heart's durability. 
2. Upon visiting a cardiologist, we must be aware of our family's history of heart disease.  The familial history also involves knowing our risk for stroke, high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes. 
3. Know the signs of a heart attack: 
4. 1. Pain, pressure, or a feeling of fullness in the center of the chest
   2. Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, between the shoulders, or jaw
   3. Breaking out in a cold sweat
   4. Shortness of breath
   5. Dizziness
   6. Fatigue, sometimes for days or weeks
   7. Nausea or an upset stomach
5. Women must be aggressive in heart health awareness.  Heart disease is the #1 killer in women. 
6. Lower stress levels.  Stress levels are increased, even with church work. Therefore, church leaders and lay members are at risk.  Here are ways to reduce stress:
7. 1. Make time for yourself (meditation, prayer & times of blessed quietness). 
   2. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep EVERY night.
   3. Get a hobby that involves relaxation. (spa day, reading, etc.)  
   4. Have a cutoff time with all use of technology (computers, cell phone, television, etc.)
   5. Learn to say no when we see that we will overextend ourselves.

TIPS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS:

1. Pursue a healthy heart diet.  Healthy heart foods involve consuming vegetables, fruits, baked foods (versus fried foods), decrease salt intake (by more than ½), yogurt (versus ice cream), dark chocolate (versus milk chocolate), and increase water intake. 
2. Maintain a regular activity level or exercise schedule.  This involves approximately 30 minutes of exercise daily.  Regular exercise promotes weight loss and cardiac health.   

• For more information, feel free to refer to www.heart.org. 
• May the Lord bless your HEARTS as we do our part in taking care of ourselves!