Stay Heart Healthy During The Holiday Season

The holidays are a fantastic time to celebrate with family and friends, enjoy great food, share laughter and give and receive generously. However, the holidays can also be a stressful time for many, especially those with heart failure and other chronic illnesses.  Learning to manage stress during these days is crucial as the demands of the holidays can be many.

According to experts, heart attack episodes spike during the holiday season; this has to do with emotional stress, over indulgence of food and alcohol, extra physical demands which can include shoveling snow for those living in the north, and sudden changes to healthy routines.

What can you do to protect your heart? Firstly, know your risks. Is there a family history of heart failure? What are your blood pressure numbers? What is your exercise capability? Heart attacks are the number one killer worldwide and knowing your risks, understanding heart failure and learning to recognize its symptoms can help you live a healthier life and save you from a fatal episode.

If you take medications for your heart’s function or any other illness, are you re-fills up to date? Remember stores and pharmacies may be closed a day or two for the holiday celebrations. Always be prepared ahead of time.

Manage or cut down on holiday stressors such as financial burdens, emotional stress and too much physical exertion such as many late nights with poor sleep patterns, shoveling snow and/or carrying heavy objects.

Practice moderation when it comes to alcohol and unhealthy food choices.  Too much sodium puts a high level of stress on the heart, and too much drinking can lead to atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm in which disorganized electrical signals cause the heart’s two upper chambers to contract irregularly, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

Keep moving… the holidays are a busy time sometimes keeping you too busy to keep your exercise routine, yet even a 15-30 minute walk can provide great benefits to your heart and overall health.  Just remember, too much physical exertion can worsen the burden and trigger a heart attack, keep it moderate and according to your abilities.

Dress warmly when exposed to cold temperatures. Frigid weather can be hard on the heart causing blood vessels to constrict which raises blood pressure and can lead to blood strokes. Stay warm.

Get help!! If you experience heart attack symptoms call 911 immediately and seek help from those nearby. Don’t postpone treatment because you don’t want to spoil the celebrations. Your presence is your best present to your loved ones.

Keep it beating!

Season’s Greetings!

Our offices will be closed on Monday, December 26th in observance of Christmas Day.

We will re-open on Tuesday, December 27th at our regular hours.

We wish you and your loved ones a beautiful Christmas Day and a very happy holiday season. Enjoy!

Holiday Eating for Diabetics

Join us at our Hallandale Beach location for healthy conversations with our very own physician assistant Stacey McFadden as she discusses important topics and provides insightful and useful information for your health.  Next topic will be Holiday Eating for Diabetics and it will be discussed on Friday, December 9 at 1:30 PM.

Save the date. We hope to see you there!

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Stay warm, stay healthy!

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Sudden changes in weather can also cause uncomfortable changes in our health; from developing colds to exacerbation of symptoms related to other illnesses.  Be prepared for sudden cold fronts by keeping your body warm: wear proper clothing, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet and get your flu shot if your doctor recommends it.

Flu shot are still available, call us to make your appointment or stop at any of our two locations to get yours.

Stay warm, stay healthy!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We will be closed on Thursday, November 24th in observance of Thanksgiving Day and will re-open on Friday, November 25th at our regular business hours.

We wish you and your loved ones a beautiful Thanksgiving celebration and we thank you for choosing us to be your primary health care provider.

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Welcome Stacey!

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STACEY MCFADDEN, MMS, PA-C PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT CERTIFIED

We are so delighted to welcome our new Physician Assistant, Stacey McFadden, to the Safecare Family.

Stacey, born in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, has always enjoyed traveling and helping people. During her time at Pennsylvania State University, she participated in a medical mission trip in Panama, and was inspired to become a physician assistant. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Biobehaviorial Health, she went on to complete her Masters of Medical Science at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida.

During her clinical rotations at NSU, Stacey realized that whether she was working in a cardiology office, a women’s health clinic, or at a surgical facility, her passion for building relationships with patients is her driving force.  She is excited to walk with the patients of Safecare Medical Center on their journey to health.

Stacey will be seeing patients at our Hallandale Beach location, call us today at (954) 454-6300 to make your appointment.

The Halloween Candy Salad!

When we say “eat your veggies” we don’t mean the Halloween salad… but with so many colorful and delicious treats during the Holiday season, it can be difficult to eat healthy and keep track of our food intake.

Be prepared ahead of time with healthy and tasty treats that are enjoyed by all the family, plan your meals and keep good track of your nutritional habits so you may end the year right and start the new one on the best path to good health. Seasonal fruits and veggies are great alternatives for new recipes while local produce can be found at your closest organic market. Enjoy!

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Flu Season Is Here!

Get your flu shot and stay healthy during the upcoming holiday season.

Flu shots are now available at both Safecare Medical Center locations.  Call our Hollywood office at (954) 989-7441 or our Hallandale Beach office at (954) 454-6300 for more information and to make an appointment for your shot. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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What are your numbers?

No, we are not referring to lotto numbers!  Knowing your blood pressure numbers is extremely important for vital health and good heart maintenance.

But how do we know if our numbers are in the danger zone?

Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers:

Systolic

The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).

Diastolic

The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).

Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While BP can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over. About one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure.

Know your numbers, keep records for your doctor to analyze, and learn ways to maintain your blood pressure on the right track.

Good numbers equal healthy heart! Let’s keep our tickers beating.

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Benefits of Stretching

Keeping an exercise routine of 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week is a sure way to maintain good health. You can incorporate mild to moderate activities into your daily life to maintain or improve flexibility, strength, and balance even without leaving your home.   However, for many seniors and persons with chronic conditions exercising can be very challenging and demanding on their bodies.

A sure way to get the joints moving is stretching. Stretching is very beneficial for overall health and in most cases, stretching exercises can be done by people of all ages and levels of strength as the movements vary in posture and intensity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the benefits of stretching include:

  • Relaxation
  • Relief from pain
  • Increased flexibility
  • Improved posture
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Decrease in activity based injuries

Stretching can be done anywhere and at anytime, but be sure to exercise caution and use proper technique as stretching incorrectly can cause harm. Below are a few great tips from Mayo Clinic to help you keep stretching safe and enjoyable.

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Stretching: Focus on flexibility

By Mayo Clinic Staff

 

* If you have a chronic condition speak to your doctor before adopting a stretching or exercise routine.

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