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Heart-Healthy Habits to Establish in Childhood

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In most cases, it’s easier to prevent disease than to treat it later. This is why many doctors advise parents to think about heart disease sooner rather than later. But here’s the good news: adopting heart-healthy behaviors in childhood isn’t complicated. Focus on overall healthiness and well-being to set children up for heart health later in life.

Here are a few tips for establishing heart-healthy habits during childhood and adolescence.

heart-healthy childhood
photo credit: @suezeng accessed 10/6/22 via CC0

How to Adopt Heart-Healthy Behaviors in Childhood

1. Start in Pregnancy

Heart health begins before birth. Try to eat well and exercise before and during pregnancy.

2. Focus on Healthy Foods

It can be difficult to know exactly what foods are healthy, but try not to overthink it. Offer kids a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Avoid sugary drinks and excess sodium.

3. Get Moving

Children naturally move much more than adults. Encourage that movement through bike rides, playground visits, organized sports, or even dance parties at home!

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4. Be Mindful of Mental Health

Stress in childhood has been linked to cardiovascular problems later in life. Watch for physical signs of mental health issues, such as dizziness, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, chest pain, or similar symptoms. Talk to your child’s doctor if you notice any signs of anxiety or depression.

5. Do Your Best

Parenting is hard. If your kids eat junk food or watch TV all day, don’t beat yourself up. There’s always tomorrow! Do your best and try again.

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HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Source: American Heart Association, “What parents can do to protect kids from heart disease”

The Impact of Stress on Heart Health

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We all know that chronic stress can significantly impact mental health. But did you know that stress can also harm your physical health? It’s true – researchers have long known of a link between chronic stress and heart disease, among other ailments. What, exactly, is the impact of stress on heart health? And how can you manage stress in order to minimize that impact?

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Heart Disease and Stress

Stress causes inflammation, high blood pressure, and other negative reactions in the body. These, in turn, raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, stress often causes us to adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as binge drinking, smoking, eating unhealthy foods, overeating, and more.

the impact of stress on heart health
photo credit: @bkotynski accessed 10/5/22 via CC0

How to Minimize the Impact of Stress on Heart Health

The best way to lower the potential negative impact of stress on heart and overall health is to find healthy ways to manage stress. Try to eat well, drink enough water, and get more physical activity. Focus on high-quality sleep. Spend time with family and friends. Try yoga, meditation or journaling. If feelings of stress continue to affect your daily life and routine, talk to your doctor. It’s never a bad idea to ask for help!

Five Ways to Become More Resilient

Protect the hearts of those you love! Register for a CPR training course today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2020.

Can Watching Sports Increase Heart Attack Risk?

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Fall is the season of changing leaves, apple picking, back to school, and football. If you spend every Sunday (and Monday, and Thursday) watching football, it’s important to be mindful of your health. Don’t eat too much fried food, stand up at commercial breaks, and manage your stress. Here are a few ways that watching sports can affect your heart – and tips on how to mitigate those effects.

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How Watching Sports Affects the Heart

Researchers have found an increase in heart attacks and arrhythmias and heart attacks during major sporting events like the Superbowl and World Cup. This is due to the stress and emotion we experience when watching a game.

When a game gets suspenseful or takes a disappointing turn, fans often feel stress. These feelings of stress and anger essentially trigger a fight-or-flight response, which causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase. All of these factors can trigger a cardiovascular event.

fans watching sports
photo credit: @koff accessed 9/6/22 via CC0

How to Manage Stress During a Big Game

If you experience high levels of stress while watching sports, take steps to manage and reduce those intense feelings. Take deep breaths, do a few stretches, and step away for a few minutes if needed. Also, try to eat healthy before and during the game, and limit the amount of alcohol you consume.

If you’re still feeling frustrated and angry after the game ends, channel it into physical activity to help release the stress.

Protect Your Health with CPR

Take care of your fellow football fans by learning hands-only CPR. You could save a life!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2018.

How IV Certification Can Benefit Your Career

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Whether you are new to the medical field, a long-practicing RN or LPN, or a healthcare professional wanting to learn new skills, an IV training course can give your career a boost. This is why HeartCert offers IV certification classes alongside our portfolio of CPR, CNA, and healthcare training courses.

There are many ways in which IV certification can help your career. Here are just a few.

4 Career Benefits of IV Certification

IV certification
photo credit: @stephentcandrews accessed 9/6/22 via CC0

1. Employment Opportunities

Becoming certified in IV therapy will make you a more skilled – and, therefore, more valuable– employee. It will also allow you to work in more and different healthcare settings.

2. Salary and Pay

Similarly, having more skills will make you a more desirable employee, which often leads to more pay. In addition, you may be able to specialize in vascular therapy. This position tends to have a higher salary than a RN or LPN.

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3. Licensing

Each HeartCert IV training course comes with a certificate of completion that can be submitted for continuing education credits.

4. Confidence

IV skills are used in a variety of settings across the healthcare field. By obtaining IV therapy certification, you’ll be more confident in your skills, no matter where you work.

HeartCert offers IV training in person at our Twin Cities headquarters, or online through our partnership with The IV Guy. Classes fill quickly, so register today!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Source: AllNurses, “Reasons to Become IV Certified”

How IV Certification Can Benefit Your Career

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Whether you are new to the medical field, a long-practicing RN or LPN, or a healthcare professional wanting to learn new skills, an IV training course can give your career a boost. This is why HeartCert offers IV certification classes alongside our portfolio of CPR, CNA, and healthcare training courses.

There are many ways in which IV certification can help your career. Here are just a few.

4 Career Benefits of IV Certification

IV certification
photo credit: @stephentcandrews accessed 9/6/22 via CC0

1. Employment Opportunities

Becoming certified in IV therapy will make you a more skilled – and, therefore, more valuable– employee. It will also allow you to work in more and different healthcare settings.

2. Salary and Pay

Similarly, having more skills will make you a more desirable employee, which often leads to more pay. In addition, you may be able to specialize in vascular therapy. This position tends to have a higher salary than a RN or LPN.

Register for an IV Certification Course

3. Licensing

Each HeartCert IV training course comes with a certificate of completion that can be submitted for continuing education credits.

4. Confidence

IV skills are used in a variety of settings across the healthcare field. By obtaining IV therapy certification, you’ll be more confident in your skills, no matter where you work.

HeartCert offers IV training in person at our Twin Cities headquarters, or online through our partnership with The IV Guy. Classes fill quickly, so register today!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Source: AllNurses, “Reasons to Become IV Certified”

Are BLS and Heartsaver CPR Courses the Same?

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If you’re considering a CPR training course, whether you’re required to by an employer or simply want to learn how to save a life, you may be confused by the options available to you. What’s the difference between BLS and ACLS? What is PALS? What about Heartsaver?

One of the most common questions we get is in regard to BLS and Heartsaver courses and how they differ. We’ll answer that question here today.

BLS vs. Heartsaver: What’s the Difference?

BLS vs Heartsaver CPR training course
photo credit: @raven-domingo-66737910 accessed 8/3/22 via CC0

What is BLS?

BLS stands for Basic Life Support. In this class, participants learn one and two person CPR skills for adults, children and infants. You will also learn how to clear the airway of a conscious or unconscious person, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Another focus of BLS courses is recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest and respiratory distress, and how to respond to emergencies and life-threatening symptoms. Because BLS courses are geared toward health care providers and emergency responders, it is expected that participants will, at some point, be called upon to use these skills in an emergency situation.

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What is Heartsaver?

In comparison, the Heartsaver course is geared toward those who don’t work in a healthcare setting but may be called upon to perform CPR, or who are required to be trained and certified in CPR as a condition of employment. This can include teachers, childcare providers, coaches, parents or caregivers, or anyone who wants to learn CPR.

Heartsaver course participants learn the same basic CPR and first aid skills that are taught in BLS courses, without some of the more advanced techniques included in BLS coursework. You will leave a Heartsaver class knowing how to perform CPR, administer an AED, and do basic first aid. It is a valuable course for anyone, regardless of their employment setting!

If you have questions about which HeartCert CPR course is right for you, contact us today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2014.