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Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure this Holiday Season

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The holiday season is a fun and special time of year – but it can also be stressful. The endless to-do list and hectic schedule, combined with short days, end-of-year projects at work, and potential family drama can take a toll. For those with high blood pressure, especially, the stress of the holidays can pose a very real health risk.

holiday

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Approximately 80 million Americans have high blood pressure, so it’s important to help our loved ones have a healthier holiday – and to make sure that at least one person at our holiday parties is trained in hands only CPR!

Here are a few tips for maintaining a healthy blood pressure this holiday season, courtesy of the American Heart Association.

Minimize Stress

This is a tough one, but it’s so important. Instead of focusing on your stress (which can actually make you feel even more stressed!), brainstorm some ideas for self-care and stress relief. Try shopping online to avoid crowds, or visiting the mall during off-hours. Perhaps you can leave a holiday party early to have a quiet evening at home alone. Schedule a massage or a pedicure – if nothing else, it’ll give you something to look forward to!

Avoid Sodium

Many of the holiday treats we love can be pretty bad for us. Instead of trying to abstain completely (which never really works), focus on making better choices when you can. Popular holiday party foods like cheese and cured meats are usually pretty high in sodium, so stick to the fruit and veggie tray instead!

Take Your Medicine – But Watch OTCs

In the busyness of the season, it’s common for everyday tasks – like taking medicine – to fall by the wayside. But if you have high blood pressure, it’s crucial for your health to keep your medicine routine constant. If you’re having trouble remembering to take your meds, talk to your doctor about potentially finding a different prescription.

On a related note, be wary of taking over the counter medications – specifically cold and flu medicine with decongestant. These can increase your blood pressure. If you’re suffering from seasonal illness, ask your doctor to recommend a safer alternative.

Happy Holidays from HeartCert!

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Heart Attack Symptoms Differ in Women and Men

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When heart attacks are portrayed on TV or in movies, they almost always happen the same way. Someone (usually a man) stops moving and talking, and his eyes go wide. He clutches his chest, gasps that his left arm is numb, then falls to the ground. It’s a dramatic scene, but it’s not really how heart attacks happen in the real world. In fact, heart attack symptoms can be much more varied. Moreover, men and women often experience significantly different symptoms.

women

In order to be aware and understand whether you may be having a heart attack, it’s first important to know the possible symptoms. We’ll go over how those symptoms differ in men and women, as detailed by WomenHeart.

What is a Heart Attack?

Heart attacks occur when a main artery becomes either partially or completely blocked, cutting off blood flow to the heart. This can happen for a variety of reasons.

What are the Symptoms in Women?

For women, heart attacks are more commonly caused by plague erosion. This occurs when smaller pieces of plaque break off and partially block arteries. Because this is a more subtle stop of blood flow, symptoms aren’t always completely indicative of a heart attack. This is why it’s even more important for women to know the potential symptoms and advocate for themselves. Half of women who have heart attacks don’t experience any form of chest pain!

Symptoms include:

  • Chest pain, discomfort and pressure
  • Back and neck pain
  • Arm and jaw pain
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Sudden, extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath

What are the Symptoms in Men?

In comparison, men are more likely to experience a complete stoppage of blood flow to the heart. This is because plaque usually ruptures off the artery wall, creating a large blood clot. The symptoms may be more sudden and severe.

Symptoms include:

  • Sudden chest pain, discomfort and pressure
  • Left arm pain
  • Cold sweats

Just like it’s important to know your heart attack risk, it’s essential to know what to do if someone near you begins to show symptoms. HeartCert CPR offers FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Sign up today!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Midlife Isn’t Too Late to Improve Heart Health

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A lot can change in middle age. Children have left home, and may even be having kids of their own. Career trajectories change as retirement nears, and finances may be more forgiving. And, perhaps most importantly, health needs change in midlife, with potential issues beginning to show as the body ages. However, according to a new study, midlife isn’t too late to make positive changes. In fact, working to improve heart health in middle age can have significant benefits to overall health, longevity and quality of life.

Regular Exercise Can Improve Heart Health

In a new study, researchers found that people in their early 50s who engaged in regular exercise saw a significant increase in heart elasticity. More specifically, participants had a decline in heart stiffness, which is a precursor and indicator of future heart failure. In addition, their bodies processed oxygen more efficiently.

midlife

Exercise Must Be Rigorous and Consistent

There were a few caveats to the study findings. Participants engaged in high- and moderate-intensity exercise four to five times per week, and kept with the program for two years. So in order to see those long-term heart health benefits, the exercise program needs to be consistent and fairly rigorous, and it must be sustained for a long period of time.

Begin in 50s for Heart Health Benefits

Further, researchers found that those midlife years – the early 50s – are the “sweet spot” to improve heart health. When participants in their 60s engaged in the same exercise program, their overall health improved, but they didn’t experience the same long-term boost to heart health

If adopting a new exercise regime in your 50s seems daunting, experts recommend shifting your mindset. Instead of thinking of exercise as a thankless task to fit in to an already busy life, make it part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth or making your bed. Consider exercise part of your personal hygiene, instead of an additional entry on your to-do list.

No matter your age, fitness level, or overall health, hands-only CPR is a good skill to have. We offer FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota – sign up today!

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Sports Fans Should Be Aware of Heart Attack Risks

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Sports fans are well-accustomed to weathering the highs and lows of a suspenseful game. If your team is performing well, it can be an exciting time. If the other team is winning, it’s a less enjoyable experience. Whatever the situation, it’s important to be aware of the potential heart risks for sports fans.

heart risks for sports fans
photo c/o si.com

According to the American Heart Association, studies have shown an increase in arrhythmias and heart attacks during major sporting events like the World Cup. With football season underway, fans here in Minnesota should be aware of their heart health and heart attack risks before sitting down to watch the game.

Increased Stress Can Raise Heart Risks

The reason for the increased heart risks for sports fans? Experts say it’s all about emotion. An attachment to a team leads to emotional stress. When a game gets suspenseful or disappointing, that stress grows in intensity. This essentially triggers a fight-or-flight response, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. All of these factors can trigger a cardiovascular event.

Be Aware of Heart Disease Risks

Of course, not every sports fan is at risk of a heart attack during every game. Other heart disease risk factors – including weight, activity level, and the incidence of high blood pressure – can contribute. Talk to your doctor about your risk, and take steps to improve your heart health. Quit smoking, watch your cholesterol, eat a heart-healthy diet and get moving!

Continue to Enjoy Your Favorite Sports

Overall, these heart risks for sports fans don’t mean that you shouldn’t watch and enjoy football games. It’s just important to be aware of those risks and take steps to improve heart health and minimize excitement and stress. 

Protect Your Health with Hands-Only CPR

Whether you’re a football fan or not, hands-only CPR is a good skill to have. We offer FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota – sign up today!

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Why Office Workers Should be Trained in CPR

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Office Setting

People spend a majority of their time at their workplace, so it’s very likely that they could have a heart attack at work. When this kind of incident occurs, will you be prepared to step in and help out? The best way to help out a co-worker who’s in cardiac arrest is to know how to perform CPR and why CPR is a great asset to have at the office.

Knowing CPR Can Save Lives

Thousands of people each year have cardiac arrest in the United States and often they have these heart problems where they spend the majority of their day – in the office.

What does CPR do to help? CPR helps with keeping the person’s blood circulating until an ambulance arrives. If someone in the office doesn’t know CPR, the person affected by cardiac arrest has a decreased chance of survival.

CPR is Different than Performing Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation

One of the main reasons that many people do not perform CPR to help fellow co-workers is because they are hesitant to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to someone else in the office. If you don’t feel comfortable giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, doing hands-only CPR can be just as effective and is better than standing by and doing nothing.

You Can Become a Bigger Asset in Your Office

Knowing how to provide immediate support with CPR will not only save a life but will make you more valuable in the office environment. The people who take the time to learn CPR will be an asset to those who have heart attacks and knowing CPR can add a valuable skill to your resume.

Learning How to Perform Hands-Only CPR Isn’t That Difficult

It’s not too time consuming or difficult to learn how to do hands-only CPR, so why wait to learn how to perform CPR? We offer FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota? Sign up while there’s are still available spots!

Are you a manager or business owner interested in providing in-office CPR training? Contact us to set up a course at your location.

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

The American Heart Association is Switching From Paper Certifications to eCards: What You Need to Know

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The American Heart Association will soon switch from paper cards to AHA eCards for all certifications moving forward. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming switch.

What is an AHA eCard?

According to the AHA: An AHA eCard is the electronic equivalent of a printed AHA course completion card. This is the new certification cards that are issued to those who successfully pass a CPR/AED/First Aid or BLS/ACLS/PALS class. eCards are valid course completion cards and can be presented to employers as proof of successful completion of an AHA course. eCards are available only for provider-level courses in the United States. Paper cards are no longer available.

Why Use an AHA eCard?

eCards are more secure than printed cards. A three-point verification by the Training Center Coordinator (TCC), Instructor and the student, is required to issue and claim eCards. eCard information is populated electronically by the TCC or Instructor and can only be altered by the TCC or AHA Customer Service by using AHA’s My CardsTM. eCards can be easily verified by employers at www.heart.org/cpr/mycards to prove issuance by a valid TC and Instructor aligned with that TC.

How Do I Use an AHA eCard?

As soon as you complete an American Heart Association course through HeartCert CPR, your card will be processed. Cards are processed weekly and you’ll receive a notification via the email address you provided during your course. Please note that participants will receive an email from the AHA after class and must click on the link in the email to claim their card. This is the student’s responsibility as no one else is able to claim or access the card prior to this step.

On your eCard, you’ll find the various sections:

  1. eCard status. Green means it’s active, yellow means the card has expired.
  2. Participant name, course name and eCard code. The eCard code is used to validate the participant’s card     (i.e. for employment, etc.). It is unique to each person.
  3. Course date and recommended renewal date. Renewal date is always 2 years out, the last day of the month.
  4. Training center and instructor information.
  5. My Cards website. Where participants can view/print their eCard and employers validate eCards.

sample card numbers_preview

If you have any questions on your AHA eCard, please contact us. All American Heart Association Training Centers are switching to E-cards and paper cards will no longer be available.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.