Skip to main content

An Overview of Heart-Health Screenings And CPR Classes in Palm Harbor

Cardiovascular disease increases the risk for life-threatening cardiac emergencies, such as a cardiac arrest, heart attack, etc. The major risk factors include high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Managing health behaviors and risk factors, such as diet quality, physical activity, smoking, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol or blood glucose is the key to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, also called coronary artery disease (CAD). But you would most probably not know which risk factors you have. To know about your risk factors, you need to visit your healthcare provider who may conduct or request screening tests during regular visits.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation, or if you have a history of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular events, you’ll probably require additional and more frequent testing. Your doctor may order more stringent screening even if you haven’t been diagnosed with a condition- if you already have risk factors or a family history of heart disease.


Though you cannot predict the occurrence of a cardiac arrest, but you can stay prepared to face such emergencies efficiently. Equip yourself in the life-saving CPR procedure and contribute towards the safety of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims. CPR can help save a life during a cardiac or breathing emergency. For a CPR class Tampa in Palm Harbor, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Tampa in the region. Classes are conducted through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice.

Learn more about the screening tests for monitoring cardiovascular health:
Blood Pressure- High blood pressure (HBP) usually has no symptoms, so it cannot be detected without being measured, that’s why it is one of the most important screenings. HBP greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Be sure to get your BP checked at least once every two years starting at age thirty- if your blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. Lifestyle changes and/or medication can help control HBP.

Fasting Lipoprotein Profile (cholesterol) – Fasting Lipoprotein Profile is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. If your doctor determines you are at an increased risk for heart disease or stroke, you may need to be tested more frequently. It is important that you have a fasting lipoprotein profile taken every four to six years, starting at age 20. Cholesterol, like HBP can be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Blood Glucose- High blood glucose or “blood sugar” levels increases the risk of developing insulin resistance prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, if left untreated can lead to many serious medical problems including heart disease and stroke. Your healthcare provider will most likely recommend a blood glucose test if you’re overweight and have at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor. Your doctor, to screen for type 2 diabetes may also measure glycated hemoglobin A1c levels (A1c %) in your blood where an A1c level of 6.5% or higher is used to define diabetes.

Physical Activity, Diet- Apart from discussing your diet and physical activity habits, talk to your healthcare provider about approaches to help quit smoking. Ask your healthcare provider to offer helpful suggestions if there’s any room for improvement in diet and regular physical activity levels.

Body Weight- Obesity puts you at higher risk for health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (CHF) and more. During a routine visit, your healthcare provider may ask for your waist circumference or use your body weight to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) which tells whether you’re at a healthy body weight and composition.

For a CPR class at CPR Tampa, either register online or call on 727-240-9404 to sign up for a course. If you cannot find the class day/time that fits your schedule, check out our Tampa location- 5396 Primrose Lake Circle, Conference Room, Tampa, FL- 33647.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Risks, Types and Causes of Atrial Flutter and CPR Classes in Palm Harbor

Atrial flutter is a problem when the atria of the ticker beats rapidly and regularly due to an anomaly of the ticker’s electrical system that usually results in a tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate). An individual with the condition may get feelings like near-fainting, rapid heartbeats (palpitations), mild shortness of breath and fatigue. During atrial flutter, the ticker beats extra fast about 250-400 beats per minute. This type of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) can be dangerous because complications can easily develop, and a normal heartbeat is 60-100 beats per minute. Atrial fibrillation is another arrhythmia that atrial flutter is closely related to. Atrial Flutter Types : 1.       Persistent atrial flutter which is more or less permanent. 2.       Paroxysmal atrial flutter which can come and go. An atrial flutter episode usually lasts hours or days. Risks: The main danger is that your ticker doesn’t pump blood as efficiently when it beats too fast.

Empowerment Through Knowledge: 10 Reasons to Enroll in an AHA CPR Course

  Have you ever wondered if you could help save a life? As we go about our busy days, we may come across someone who needs emergency care. Would you know what to do in that situation? Enrolling in an American Heart Association (AHA) CPR course can empower you with the knowledge and skills to provide lifesaving care until professional help arrives. Let's explore 10 compelling reasons you should sign up for CPR training in Tampa today! 1. Learn Critical Skills to Save Lives The number one reason to take a CPR class is to acquire skills that can help save lives in an emergency. According to the AHA, immediate CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. During hands-on training, you'll learn how to: Perform high-quality chest compressions to artificially circulate blood until defibrillation is available Open airways using proper head positioning Ventilate victims by delivering rescue breaths Use an AED to deliver shocks to restart the heart Provide c

Ways to Handle Heart Emergencies and Tampa CPR Classes

Some of the heart emergencies include heart attack or myocardial infarction, a sudden cardiac arrest or SCA (sometimes called out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - or OCHA) and an angina attack or unstable angina. These are life-threatening emergencies and a victim would require proper and immediate treatment for survival. Joining a CPR class Tampa and learning the valuable life-saving procedures is one of the best ways that can help you to handle heart-related emergencies. Always select an accredited training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Tampa. Experienced instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.  Symptoms of Heart Attack : Chest pain is the most vital symptom which often starts in the middle of the chest and moves to the neck, jaw, ears, arms and wrists. It can travel between shoulder blades, back or stomach area.