Did you know your heart beats 100,000 times a day? A tiny powerhouse the size of a fist, your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood each day, trans- porting oxygen to your lungs and tissues, carrying antibodies to fight infection and regulating your body temperature, among other functions. Your heart matters. And at Asante, we are celebrating your heart with free online events, videos and infor- mation that’ll help you live longer and stay healthier. Asante is a regional leader in heart care. Our partner - ships with Southern Oregon Cardiology, local emer- gency services and other agencies mean lifesaving interventions are available 24/7 for heart attacks and strokes. Fortune/IBM Watson Health has named Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center one of its 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the nation for the third year in a row and the eighth time overall. Asante has recently hosted a couple of free webinars early this month for Heart Month. View the record - ings here and learn more about heart health. It’s also important to focus on a Mediterranean-style diet, which is proven to be the most heart-healthy way to eat. It includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and other foods high in fiber. It’s also good to keep a healthy weight and balance the amount of calories you take in with the number of calories you burn. According to Coker, today, the typical American eats 250-300 calories more a day than in previous years and exercises less. But she believes that in addition to individuals being proactive, businesses could also have a positive impact on heart health. “If employers make health important in the workplace, em - ployees may reevaluate their health at home, too. It’s a trick - le-down effect and business leaders can make a difference.” Worker wellness programs can have a positive impact on employee morale and production. These can include everything from health education and health literacy events to walk-a-thons and even encouraging employees to take the stairs or make healthy choices at the cafeteria. “Good health is good for business, and for our entire community,” said Coker. “Love your heart enough to take care of it.” n
Beth Coker, manager of Asante’s Cardiopulmonary Services, works with patients inside the Cardiac Rehabilitation gym at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
of fullness or indigestion, numbness or tingling in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw or stomach, and shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. As a heart attack is happening, you may feel nauseous, break out in a cold sweat, or experience a headache or confusion. A feeling of tiredness or fatigue is a common heart attack symptom in women. “Don’t wait to get help,” said Coker. “Call 911 because they will start treatment in the ambulance.” When it comes to symptoms of a stroke, Coker said to remember the word FAST. “F is for the face drooping or feeling numb. A is for arm weakness. S is for slurred speech or difficulty speaking. And T means it’s time to call 911,” she explained. “Other symptoms include confusion, foggy vision, struggling to walk, or a severe headache with no known cause. With a stroke, time is brain matter. The faster you address it, the less likely you are to have severe brain damage.” As always, there are ways to prevent a heart attack or stroke, especially as you age. People age 65 and older are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. But some of the best preventive measures are to know your numbers. “Check your blood pressure, especially as you get older,” added Coker. “As we age, changes happen in our arterial walls that lead to hypertension. If untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart disease.” Additionally, continue to exercise and maintain a healthy diet. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This could include walking, bowling, playing pickleball, gardening and a plethora of other activities. “If you smoke, quit, because it is the leading cause of preventable death. It’s never too late to benefit from quitting smoking,” she said.
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February 2022 | The Business Review
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