Feburary: Heart Health and Learn to Help Someone with CPR

February is National Heart Health month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and yet it is also one of the most preventable.  Some of the ways to prevent heart health include making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart disease, having regular check-ups and working with your physician to manage your health are all integral aspects of saving lives from this often silent killer.

Prevent Heart Health Disease
Prevent heart health disease by living a healthy lifestyle, keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack. Some of these healthy lifestyles  include:

• Eating a healthy diet. (a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fish nuts and legumes. non-tropical vegetable oils)
• Maintaining a healthy weight. 
• Getting enough physical activity.
• Not smoking or using other forms of tobacco don’t smoke tobacco, avoid secondhand smoke).
• Limiting alcohol use. (The American Heart Association's Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations)

Save Your Life and Help Others Save Theirs By Learning About CPR

Many of the emergency room visits on a day to day basis can be avoided, 25% of all emergency room visits can be avoided with basic first aid and CPR certification. As a matter of fact, 75% of all out-of-hospital heart attacks happen at home and sudden cardiac arrest represents 13% of all workplace deaths. Out of the 5 million workers injured on the job in 2012, have cost companies $198.2 billion.

How can you help reduce this number? Many of the preliminary things that we can do before first responders arrive after calling 911, is to perform basic first aid, CPR or AED as needed.

Cardiac arrest is the one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and most who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not get cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a third person, generally lessens their chances of survival. Many report that they don't perform CPR or don't want to learn how to do CPR is because of the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In 2010, guidelines for performing CPR have been changed, and they now say that those who do not feel comfortable, or who have not received formal training, should attempt hands-only CPR. Hands-only CPR has been shown to be just as effective for many adults who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

Thinking about it? Get CPR and AED certified today and Save a Life!

Winter Safety: Tips to Keep Safe This Season

With winter coming underway, temperatures occasionally drop down to mid twenties from time to time, don't forget to prepare your home, family and your pets. If you know of any older adults, don't forget to check on them from time to time when temperatures drop drastically. When you are outdoors for long periods of time, make sure you wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family safe throughout the season. (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the winter season upon us, temperatures at time can get low enough for people needing to turn the heat on. Please be cautious when turning on the heat to warm up the residence, and please note that although carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, less than 1/3 of American homes have one installed. To not to get carbon monoxide poisoning, remember simple tips like these:

• Replace batteries for carbon monoxide detectors during spring and fall.
• Do not heat your home with gas range or oven.
• Never run a car or truck inside an attached garage (National Safety Council: Winter Safety Tips)

For more tips on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, check it out on the CDC website.

Take These Steps for Your Home

Winter is here, despite the fact that we are in the south region of Texas without ice and storms, it is still

important to stay prepared and check in with the National Weather Service for winter related alerts and other weather events.

• Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
• Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
• Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

How Will You and Your Family Keep Yourselves Safe This Month?