Family Doctors Know Your Heart Deserves All Your Love

More than 600,000 Americans die every year from heart disease, the #1 cause of death for most groups that affects all ages, genders and ethnicities. But you can take an active role in reducing your risk and your family doctor at Bluestem Health in Lincoln, Nebraska, can help. Bluestem Health wants to remind you that your heart deserves all your love.

Six Family Doctor Recommended Heart Healthy Habits:

• Move More – Something is better than nothing. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, just put “move my body” on your daily to-do list and start small. Take the dog for a walk, build a snowman or play tag (regardless if you have kids), dance in the kitchen, do sit-ups during commercials, take the stairs, or park farther away from the entrance. Anything that will get you moving.
• Eat Healthy & Drink More Water – The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 100 calories a day (6 tsp). Sugar sweetened beverages are the biggest source of added sugars in the American diet. Think soda, fruit juices, sport drinks and flavored milks. Substitute soda with water, limit processed foods and sugar, increase your intake of veggies, fruits, fish, chicken, beans and nuts.
• Get Some Zzzzzz’s – Sleep is involved in healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7 to 8 hours of sleep is recommended. To do this stick to a regular sleep schedule, get enough natural light during the day, keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet, and avoid artificial light, alcohol and foods high in sugar within a few hours of bedtime.
• Stop Smoking – Every cigarette you smoke increases your risk of getting heart disease. Roughly 1 out of 5 deaths from heart disease is directly related to smoking. Heart disease risk associated with smoking begins to decrease soon after you quit, and for many people it continues to decrease over time. Ask your family doctor for advice on how to quit smoking.
• Take your Medications as prescribed and keep your Medical Appointments – Things can change between visits with your doctor and adjustments may need to be made. The Harvard Health Letter indicates you should make an appointment with your family doctor once per year and after any hospitalizations at the very least.
• Manage Stress – Continuous stress can be harmful to your heart. High levels of cortisol released as a result of long term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure – all of which are common risk factors of heart disease. Meditation, physical activity, deep breathing, making time for hobbies, discussing problems, and connecting with family and friends are all helpful stress management techniques.

Following these tips is a good idea all the time. Try to incorporate one or more of the ideas above into your daily routine. Your heart will love you for it!

• Main Clinic – Located at 1021 N. 27th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Main Clinic offers comprehensive family medicine for all ages, general dentistry, behavioral health, addiction and substance use services, lab testing, and x-ray services.
• Thompson Clinic – Located in Bryan Health’s West Medical Plaza at 2222 S. 16th Street, Suite 435, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Thompson Clinic offers comprehensive family medicine services for all ages, as well as laboratory services.
• Kreshel Clinic – Located at 3100 N. 14th Street, Suite 201, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Kreshel Clinic offers comprehensive family medicine, obstetric care, lab testing, and x-ray services.
• Health 360 – Located at 2301 O Street in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Health 360 Clinic, a partnership between Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and Bluestem Health, offers comprehensive family medicine for all ages, behavioral health, addiction and substance use services, pharmacy, laboratory services, and dental hygiene services.
• Piedmont Clinic – Located at Bryan Health East Medical Plaza, 1500 South 48th Street, Suite 412, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Piedmont Clinic offers comprehensive family medicine services for all ages, including laboratory services.

Make an appointment today with one of our Bluestem Health family doctors to find your way to a healthier, happier heart.