American Heart Month and Go Red for Women Virtual Program

Date/Time
Date(s) - Friday, February 5, 2021 - Saturday, February 27, 2021
All Day

Location
Evelyn Taylor Majure Library

Categories


This is an informative program on heart disease prevention. Also view information on how to Go Red for Women.

Hosted by Evelyn Taylor Majure Library of Utica. The educational content is below the introductory video.

 


 

Please read and learn from the content provided below. Note that this information is not a substitute for medical advice.

closeup of young Caucasian woman jogging outdoors and wearing white earbuds

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From Prevention Magazine: 8 Best and Worst Exercises for Your Heart

Best:

  • Interval training
  • Total-body, nonimpact sports
  • Weight training
  • Core workouts.
  • Yoga
  • Being active all day

Worst

  • Running long-distance on pavement
  • Any type of vigorous exercise you haven’t trained for

Read Article


blood pressure cuff, weekly medicine box and assortment of pills on white background

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From the Myocarditis Foundation: Understanding Myocarditis, Pericarditis, and Endocarditis

These diseases are types of heart inflammation, but they affect different areas of the heart. 

  • Myocarditis: Affects the myocardium, the middle layer or “muscle” of the heart. The myocardium expands and contracts to pump blood (systole), and relax and fill the heart (diastole).
  • Pericarditis: Affects the pericardium, the outermost layer of the heart. The pericardium cushions the heart to protect it from friction and enlargement, and it is where the nerves and blood vessels of the heat reside.
  • Endocarditis: Affects the endocardium, the innermost layer of the heart, which contains connective tissues and organ lining that coats the inner surfaces of the heart chambers, including several valves.

Myocarditis and pericarditis is usually caused by a viral illness, while endocarditis is usually caused by a systemic infection of bacteria, fungi, or other germs in the bloodstream.

Read Article


February is American Heart Month.

CDC

Get tips from the Centers from Disease Control on protecting your heart by reducing hypertension.

Visit Website

Learn more about heart health from the American Heart Association (AHA).

The mission of the AHA is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

  • ‘In Your Community’ menu link – Find your closest American Heart Association office and see what’s happening in your area.
  • Volunteer – The American Heart Association needs the time and talent of volunteers. Find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you.
  • Join the nationwide movement in support of healthier communities and healthier lives at yourethecure.org.
  • Research is a major weapon against cardiovascular diseases. The American Heart Association has funded major breakthroughs such as the first artificial heart valve, implantable pacemakers, and treatment for infant respiratory distress syndrome. Read more.
  • Visit heart.org/about to read AHA’s history, annual report, and information about their executive team.
  • Coronavirus Answers for Patients – Patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases appear to have an increased risk for adverse outcomes with COVID-19.
  • COVID-19 Content: An AHA Compendium – Resources for health systems, clinics, care providers, patients and the public.

 

American Heart Association/Facebook

The AHA’s Go Red for Women campaign includes National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 5, 2021.

Learn more about the awareness campaign for women to recognize warning signs and symptoms of heart disease, which can be different from men.

Read Article

Also watch this livestream from February 1 entitled “Heart to Heart: Why losing one woman is too many” featuring Star Jones and Tamron Hall.

 


smiling Caucasian woman wearing surgical scrubs and holding large cutout of red heart. Hospital room background.

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Heart health tips from Johns Hopkins Medicine

3 Kinds of Exercise That Boost Heart Health

  • Aerobic Exercise
  • Resistance Training (Strength Work)
  • Stretching, Flexibility and Balance

Read Article

For Your Heart: Stay Calm and Cool

“People who feel angry often and fail to deal with it well are more likely to have heart problems, including heart attack, shows research from Johns Hopkins and other leading health institutions.”

  • Step back. 
  • Aim for assertive, not aggressive.
  • Learn relaxation tools.
  • Reduce your heart risk factors.
  • Talk to your doctor.

Risk factor: Anything that boosts your chances of getting a disease.

Read Article

Maintaining Heart Health

Lifestyle factors that affect the heart include smoking, body mass index (BMI) management, stress control and diet management. Adequate sleep and exercise are also vital for maintaining heart health.

Read Article

The Yoga-Heart Connection

Yoga is a mind-body activity that involves moving through a series of body poses and breathing exercises that can improve strength, flexibility, balance and relaxation. Dozens of different formats, or practices, such as hatha, anusara, ashtanga and many others, emphasize different focuses, such as toning, strength training or meditation.

  • Yoga as a Stress Outlet
  • Yoga as Heart Booster
  • Yoga as Smoking Cessation Aid
  • Yoga as Exercise

Read Article


Asian man in yoga pose on white background.

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From Harvard Men’s Health Watch: Exercising to relax

Rest and relaxation. It’s such a common expression that it has become a cliche. And although rest really can be relaxing, the pat phrase causes many men to overlook the fact that exercise can also be relaxing. It’s true for most forms of physical activity as well as for specific relaxation exercises.
  • How exercise reduces stress
  • Autoregulation exercise and stress relief
  • Breathing exercise reduces stress
  • Mental exercises reduce stress, too
  • Progressive muscular relaxation
  • Exercise, health, and stress

Read Article

 

Special thanks to Prevention Magazine, the Myocarditis Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Heart Association, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Harvard Health Publishing for their contributions to this program.