Is your heart healthy? Unless given reason to believe otherwise, we all go on the assumption “yes”.
There are some basic tests you can do to monitor your heart and make sure it is staying healthy without much effort or cost.
Check your blood pressure. Though one single reading won’t give you a full picture, keeping a chart of readings can establish a baseline. If you are generally within a good range, wonderful. If your numbers are often higher than they should be or consistently lower it may be time to visit your physician.
What’s normal range?
“Normal” for a resting adult is 120 over 80 or less. Hypertension begins at 140/90 or higher. You may not think a high reading is a big deal but what happens over time is that adding that extra pressure can stiffen and even narrow the artery walls blocking natural blood flow to and from the heart. This can lead to heart attack or heart disease.
Your blood pressure is a reading of the pressure in your arteries every time your heart pumps and relaxes. Systolic is the contracted measurement and Diastolic measures the relaxation between beats.
Take a blood test
A blood test is a great way to monitor health. Your doctor can look at your levels of potassium, sodium, albumin, and creatinine. Abnormal levels can signal heart problems including failure as well as other issues with cholesterol, liver and or kidneys.
Get some exercise
Getting regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle as well as the rest of your body. It is important to note that cardiovascular exercise shouldn’t make your chest hurt. If it does, check with your doctor before continuing any exercise program.
Monitor your heart rate
Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats within one minute. When monitored by using a stethoscope the opening and closing of your heart valves can also be heard and checked for abnormalities. The normal range goes from 60 to 100 beats per minute. If yours is higher – it may be a sign your heart is working too hard.
If you are in the Tampa, Florida area and in need of a Cardiovascular Physician please think of Tampa Cardiovascular Associates www.tampacardio.com. Give us a call at 813-975-2800.