HEART DISEASE
The heart is as essential to our survival as any organ in the human body can be. Heart health is one of the most important keys to a quality life and good overall physical condition. The month of February recognizes heart health in an effort to promote awareness of this critical measure. With heart disease being the #1 killer in America it is key that we understand how to maintain a healthy heart and offset the likelihood of contracting the symptoms that lead to heart failure.

EXERCISE
Alongside proper dieting, not smoking, and maintaining a proper bodyweight, exercise is mandatory for good heart health. There are many fitness routines that are beneficial to the heart that can be practiced. It is important to get a good variety of exercise throughout the week, but the most important thing is that you stay active consistently. Exercise is necessary for good blood circulation and it promotes the release of hormones that boost heart performance and are helpful to overall health. It is said that sitting is the new smoking. So, even an 11-minute walk each day can significantly contribute to a reduction in health risks, especially those associated with the heart. However; it is advised that you get 30 minutes of exercise at least three days a week. The following includes some great exercise routines that are easy to work into your day.

Sports - Many sporting activities involve more than enough sustained movement in one round to fulfill your exercise quota. People with healthy habits enjoy sports from tennis and racquet ball to golf, basketball, frisbee, and, of course, jogging and running.

Yoga - With its meditative components and proven benefits on the autonomic nervous system, which directly affects the heart, yoga is an impactful practice that can play a big role in maintaining a healthy living as a form of exercise.

Strength Training - Weight lifting and calisthenics, even at very light levels, are important for muscle tone and heart health as well. Strength workouts help maintain the overall condition in the body, keeping weight intact and burning off fatty molecules that can become problematic if deposited in cells.

Be certain to consult your physician prior to pursuing any rigorous exercise program.

USFHP
At USFHP we’ve developed incentive programs that give rewards to our members for meeting certain health goals. Additionally, our free enhanced benefits rewards members with up to $250 a year in gym reimbursement. Participating in a workout program can be crucial to preventing heart disease.

We’ve also partnered with Welldoc, a recognized leader in healthcare tech, to bring you an app that helps you monitor your heart health. The HFStar app makes it easy for individuals living with heart disease to manage their health with the app’s symptom tracker, coaching, education and accountability. Every time you track in HFStar you get real-time feedback that helps you feel more confident about managing your condition.  

You can download the “HFStar” app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store at the links below. Enter access code: HEART4U to complete registration.

Call 1-800-241-4848, we will walk you quickly through the process and help you schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to get you tested right away.