Let's Get Heart Smart: How To Practice Health to Your Heart's Content
The Windsor of Bradenton
Dec 20, 2022
Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties
Email US
Click to Email Us
Let’s Get Heart Smart – February Is American Heart Month
By the time you read this, the reported deaths from COVID-19 and its variants in the U.S. will be close to 900,000. As staggering as that statistic is, it’s 400,000 short of the number of Americans killed by Heart Disease in the same time period. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women of most racial and ethnic groups.
Let’s not allow the topic to overwhelm the fact there’s a miracle inside your chest. Weighing about as much as a grapefruit, the heart is a powerful pump that drives five to six quarts of blood to every microscopic part of your body every second. And if it fails for even a second, the body is very unforgiving. Even though it’s the one piece of machinery driven by the brain, we tend to treat the heart like a kitchen appliance that we take for granted. Rarely serviced, rarely cleaned, and overworked until it burns out. Although heart bypass and transplant have become routine since the pioneering operations in the 1960s, it’s not like replacing the coffee maker you neglected too long.
One Thing at a Time
The better way to treat your heart with the respect it deserves is to start with changing just small habits. That way, you’ll avoid the relapse from trying to change everything at once and falling back to unhealthy heart habits inside of a month. The most obvious: if you’re a smoker or heavy drinker, work on that first. Imagine a small team of remodelers arriving at your heart to do a makeover. The first thing they’re going to say is, “Well, we can’t do anything with the plumbing until we clear the smoke.”
Look for Help During Heart Month
Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol is never easy, but this is probably as good a time as any during the year to start a cessation program – with help. February is American Heart Month, so you’re likely to be reminded frequently of heart health and offered tips on modifying your routine to help your heart and prolong a happy life. If you only look to one place, trust the American Heart Association – www.heart.org.
Prediabetes and Heart Disease
What’s your blood sugar level? If you don’t know, you should find out from your doctor if you’re not already monitoring it yourself. You could be pre-diabetic without knowing it or showing any symptoms. There’s a good chance you could avoid becoming diabetic and reverse your pre-diabetic blood sugar to normal with relatively little change to your diet and a slight increase in
your activity. Diabetes has long been linked to heart disease, but recent studies suggest that reversing prediabetes is also linked to fewer heart attacks and strokes. [“Reversing Prediabetes linked to fewer heart attacks, strokes,” heart.org, Jan. 26, 2021.]
While you’re at it, get your cholesterol tested and routinely monitor your blood pressure.
If you’re worried you might be at risk for heart disease, ask your doctor to perform a simple cholesterol test to let you know if you’re at risk and should adjust your diet. Home blood pressure monitors are not expensive, they’re digital, and they’re easy to use. Blood pressure stations are common in supermarkets now, and you can also check your weight and pulse.
Women’s Heart Health
Why the emphasis on women’s heart health? The American Heart Association tells us that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year – about one woman every minute. They devote an entire website to women’s heart health: Go Red for Women (www.goredforwomen.org). Here are just a few of the common misconceptions about women’s heart health:
Myth: Heart disease is for men, and cancer is the real threat for women
Fact: Heart disease is a killer that strikes more women than men and is more deadly than all cancer forms combined. While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease is the cause of one out of every three deaths.
Myth: Heart disease is for old people
Fact: Heart disease affects women of all ages. For younger women, the combination of birth control pills and smoking boosts heart disease risks by 20 percent. Heart defects are more common than you might think: 1.3 million Americans alive today have some form of congenital heart defect and at least nine of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect. Even if you live a completely healthy lifestyle, being born with an underlying heart condition can be a risk factor.
Myth: “I run marathons – no way I could be at risk.”
Fact: Factors like cholesterol, eating habits, and smoking can counterbalance your other healthy habits. You can be thin and have high cholesterol. The American Heart Association says to start getting your cholesterol checked at age 20. Earlier, if your family has a history of heart disease.
Age and Heart Health
Many things, like wine and most people, grow better with age. The heart, however, takes more tending than a glass of fine wine. Avoid things that weaken your heart beyond the normal aging process. These are the usual suspects: smoking and tobacco use, lack of exercise, diet, alcohol, overeating, and stress. Some preexisting conditions you can’t control: irregular heartbeat, congenital (inherited) heart defects, sleep apnea (although this may be a product of obesity or alcohol consumption).
Viruses and Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle mostly caused by a virus, including COVID-19, and can lead to left-sided heart failure. The left ventricle of the heart is the part that pumps oxygen-rich blood back to the body. This valve tends to stiffen with age. That’s one of the many reasons why age combined with a preexisting condition puts you at greater risk of death from COVID-19. Even survivors of the novel coronavirus infection can sustain permanent heart damage. All people must protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by observing precautions, not just because of its immediate lethality but also because of its impact on the heart, known and unknown.
How to Start with Your Heart
The factors involved in heart health and the onset of heart disease are many, varied, and complicated. But the common preventions (listed here, from the Mayo Clinic) are simple. You probably already know them by heart, so to speak:
Not smoking
Controlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
Staying physically active
Eating healthy foods
Maintaining a healthy weight
Reducing and managing stress
Those may seem like six significant challenges, especially if you take on all six. But you should notice something else about them. Almost every one of them can affect the other five. So, if you pick one, you’ll find it easier to take on the next one. People who quit smoking usually discover that they have more energy within the first week, and exercise becomes easier. A little exercise and switching out one unhealthy food will help with weight, stress, blood pressure, and diabetes. Easy does it, especially if you’re 65 and older. You’ve spent a whole life learning one way. You can take your time. Learn to enjoy your healthier heart. But start today.
First, Get a Checkup!
Most of the questions this article has raised in your mind (“What’s my blood sugar level?” “What’s my blood pressure?” “I used to smoke – am I at risk?”) can all be answered in a single doctor’s visit with simple lab work done a few days before. Schedule it now, before you start a program of exercise and diet. And schedule a regular exam per your doctor’s recommendation. Relieving the stress of not knowing will be a good start on your way to a healthier heart.
Other Articles You May Like
Some Sedentary Activities Are Good For Brain Health
Physical activity helps your brain, but did you know even some sedentary activities can ward off cognitive decline? Creative crafts, reading, and puzzles such as Sudoku or Scrabble keep your brain mentally stimulated. Try word and number games rather than TV or gaming. So, when you rest your body, make sure you're still engaging your brain. Summary: New research highlights that some sedentary activities, like reading or crafting, are better for brain health than others, such as watching TV or gaming. A study of 397 older adults found that mentally stimulating and socially engaging activities support memory and thinking abilities, while passive screen time is linked to cognitive decline.This insight is crucial, as 45% of dementia cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. Researchers suggest swapping passive activities for more engaging ones to protect brain health, even during indulgent holiday marathons.Key FactsCognitive Benefits: Reading and social engagement improve brain function, unlike passive screen time.Preventable Risk: 45% of dementia cases could be reduced through lifestyle changes.Healthy Swaps: Small activity changes, like breaking up TV time with reading or movement, benefit the brain.Source: University of South AustraliaIts that time of the year when most of us get the chance to sit back and enjoy some well-deserved down time. But whether you reach for the TV controller, or a favourite book, your choice could have implications for your long-term brain health, say researchers at the University of South Australia.Assessing the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 older adults (aged 60+), researchers found that the context or type of activity that you engage in, matters when it comes to brain health. And specifically, that some sedentary (or sitting) behaviours are better for cognitive function than others.When looking at different sedentary behaviours, they found that social or mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing a musical instrument, or chatting with others are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities. Yet watching TV or playing video games are detrimental.Researchers believe that there is likely a hierarchy of how sedentary behaviours relate to cognitive function, in that some have positive effects while others have negative effects.Its a valuable insight that could help reduce risks of cognitive impairment, particularly when at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors.In Australia, about 411,100 people (or one in every 1000 people) are living with dementia. Nearly two-thirds are women. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people have dementia with nearly 10 million new cases each year.UniSA researcher Dr Maddison Mellow says that not all sedentary behaviours are equal when it comes to memory and thinking ability.In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement, Dr Mellow says.We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be prioritised if you are trying to improve your brain health. But until now, we hadnt directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behaviour for another.We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement such as reading or talking with friends are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity is important.And, while the move more, sit less message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.Now, as the Christmas holidays roll around, what advice do researchers have for those who really want to indulge in a myriad of Christmas movies or a marathon of Modern Family?To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits, you should prioritise movement thats enjoyable and gets the heart rate up, as this has benefits for all aspects of health, Dr Mellow says.But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits. So, if youre dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.This research was conducted by a team of UniSA researchers including: Dr Maddison Mellow, Prof Dot Dumuid, Dr Alexandra Wade, Prof Tim Olds, Dr Ty Stanford, Prof Hannah Keage, and Assoc Prof Ashleigh Smith; with researchers from the University of Leicester, and the University of Newcastle.Author: Annabel MansfieldSource: University of South AustraliaContact: Annabel Mansfield University of South AustraliaImage: The image is credited to Neuroscience NewsOriginal Research: Open access.Should We Work Smarter or Harder for Our Health? A Comparison of Intensity and Domain-Based Time-Use Compositions and Their Associations With Cognitive and Cardiometabolic Health by Maddison Mellow et al. Journals of Gerontology Series A
Coldwell Banker Reaffirms Partnership with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital for Fourth Consecutive Year
Having donated nearly two million dollars since the start of the partnership, the Coldwell Banker brand continues its commitment to fostering hopeColdwell Banker Real Estate LLC, a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS), extends its impactful partnership with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital into 2025. The CB Supports St. Jude partnership has raised $1.97 million since its establishment in 2020.The inspiring story of David DiGregorio, an affiliated agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in Waltham, Massachusetts, truly reflects the spirit of the Coldwell Banker network. Recognized this year as the Stars of Hope top donor, a title he earned last year and in 2021, DiGregorios efforts serve as a powerful example of dedication, commitment and philanthropy. His generous contributions have not only significantly enhanced the overall impact made by the Coldwell Banker brand, but also have been instrumental in helping St. Jude give vital support to many families in need. The Stars of Hope recognition is honored annually to the top 15 percent of all participating agents who made donations in the CB Supports St. Jude program.The renewal of this program allows Coldwell Banker brand affiliated agents to keep donating a portion of every home sale or purchase to this worthy cause. This dedication guarantees that no family will face the financial burdens of treatment, travel, housing or food expenses while they work to bring their children home.QUOTES:We are deeply committed to the power of community and the profound importance of giving back. Our partnership with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital exemplifies our unwavering dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of families confronting unimaginable challenges. As we look ahead to 2025, we take immense pride in the collective impact we continue to achieve, knowing that every contribution brings hope and healing to children in need.Jason Waugh, President of Coldwell Banker Affiliates I am incredibly grateful to be part of a network that is truly committed to making a difference. Contributing to this cause has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career and seeing the tangible impact of our donations on the lives of these children reinforces the importance of our partnership with St. Jude.David DiGregorio, agent with Coldwell Banker Realty Waltham, Mass About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLCPowered by its network of over 98,000 affiliated sales professionals in approximately 2,700 offices across 40 countries and territories, the Coldwell Banker system is a leading provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage services. The Coldwell Banker brand prides itself on its history of expertise, honesty and an empowering culture of excellence since its beginnings in 1906. The Coldwell Banker brand is committed to providing its network of affiliated sales agents with the tools and insights needed to excel in todays marketplace and is known for its bold leadership and dedication to driving the industry forward. The brand was named among the 2024 Womens Choice Award 9 out of 10 Customer Recommended Real Estate Agency. Blue is bold and the integrity and values of the Coldwell Banker brand give the Gen Blue network an unbeatable edge. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Affluent Appetite for Luxury Homes Drives Market Optimism for Many Consumers, According to New Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Report
Report features fresh insights from U.S. luxury consumers and identifies the top trends dominating the global luxury real estate landscapeColdwell Banker Real Estate LLC, an AnywhereSM (NYSE: HOUS) brand, and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program, today released The Trend Report, showcasing increased consumer optimism in luxury real estate as the fourth quarter of 2023 welcomed fresh energy from luxury homebuyers.Over one-third of surveyed luxury consumers feel that 2024 will be a better time to buy or sell a home compared to 2023 indicating enthusiasm for luxury real estate as they pursue their dream home, according to the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Consumer Survey.Furthermore, the luxury market saw sales during the last quarter of 2023 increase nearly 4.2% for single-family homes and 14.2% for attached properties compared to the previous year, while new listings also increased by 14.2% for single-family homes and 7.2% for attached properties during the same period.[1] On average, luxury consumers surveyed plan on selling their home within the next 10 months.Alongside the luxury consumer survey, The Trend Report explores top trends leading todays luxury homebuying landscape, backed by additional insight and data from Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists, the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and Wealth-X.The top six themes shaping the 2024 luxury real estate market identified by The Trend Report are:Shifting out of Neutral: Influences on the Luxury MarketHave-It-All PropertiesThe Influence of AIThe High Earners, Not Rich Yet (HENRY) FactorForeign BuyersSmart HomesIn addition to the trends and consistent theme that wealthy Americans have a more positive outlook on the real estate market heading into 2024, key findings from the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Consumer survey include:Continued desire for affluent consumers to purchase a home abroadSocial medias tremendous role in homebuying decisionsLocation being the most important factor to consider when searching for a homeInternational InvestmentsAmerica continues to be a real estate safe haven for many of the worlds wealthiest and influential consumers. According to The Trend Report, international buyers purchasing real estate in the top 5% of the market in 2023 saw 25% growth, indicating that international high-net-worth consumers continue to see to value of investing in the U.S. luxury real estate market. The top international buyers include China, Canada and the United Kingdom, and the most favored cities to purchase within the U.S. are New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.While international buyers look to America for their next property, wealthy Americans are also exploring opportunities abroad, with nearly 40% of survey respondents planning to buy a home in a foreign location within the next year and two-thirds of affluent consumers saying they plan to purchase a home abroad within the next five years. Europe is the top destination among luxury consumers (29%), followed by North America outside the U.S. (28%) and the Caribbean (23%).Social Media Influences Luxury BuyersSocial media is overwhelmingly influencing luxury consumers to purchase their dream home. A whopping 73% of affluent consumers say they have been influenced by social media to purchase a particular home they desire. Instagram (45%), YouTube (45%) and TikTok (44%) are the top social media platforms that have influenced luxury consumers to purchase their dream home.For the younger generations of luxury homebuyers like millennials and Gen Z, TikTok has especially become an enormously popular platform to connect with real estate agents to become more knowledgeable of the housing market through comprehensive yet digestible, bite-sized videos and virtual walkthroughs of homes. 64% of consumers aged 18-24 have been influenced by social media in their desire to purchase a particular type of home. In addition, 68% of consumers in this age bracket are most likely to have been influenced by TikTok in their decision to purchase their desired home.Discerning Tastes in Luxury LivingWhile high interest rates and low inventory may cause some consumers to settle or pause their home search altogether, luxury consumers have only become more selective when purchasing their newest property. Todays affluent buyers are more discerning than ever, prioritizing location, privacy, wellness amenities, lifestyle experiences and the latest technology.Notably, the top three amenities desired by luxury consumers according to the survey findings are privacy, breathtaking views and garage space. Location is top-of-mind for luxury consumers when choosing a home (45%), followed by price (39%). Wealthy Americans prefer mid-sized to large modern contemporary styled homes, ideally located on the West Coast.High-tech security systems, smart lighting and energy-saving solutions stand out as the top three preferred technologies among luxury consumers. Notably, the preferences in smart home technologies vary across age groups. Older generations (45+) lean towards prioritizing convenience, while the younger demographics (1834) express a preference for privacy and security. Individuals aged 3544 prioritize health tech systems, such as air quality control and water analysis sensors.To explore the Trend Report and full survey results, visit https://www.coldwellbankerluxury.com/.QUOTES:After a year of high interest rates, housing shortages and conflicted consumer sentiment, its encouraging to see such a positive outlook on the luxury real estate market for 2024. If lower mortgage rate trends combined with the new inventory momentum continues, luxury homebuyers could be inspired to move forward with their next home purchase. As they prioritize new amenities, features and even explore overseas options for their next property, Im excited to see our Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists guide both buyers and sellers to achieve their dream homes.Michael Altneu, vice president, Coldwell Banker Global LuxuryIn contrast to the pandemic homebuying boom, were seeing luxury homebuyers more than willing to wait to find the perfect house in 2024 that meets every single one of their needs whether its privacy, wellness amenities, lifestyle experiences, latest technology or a combination of all those factors. Specifically, turn-key, move-in ready homes with easy access to the best luxury amenities provide buyers with instant gratification in attaining their desired lifestyle. Whether its purchasing the home that has it all or upgrading their current home with trending features, Im looking forward to seeing both buyers and sellers enjoying the decisions they make for their home this year.Jade Mills, president, Jade Mills Estates and International Ambassador of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury programMethodologyThe Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program collaborated with Censuswide, the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and Wealth-X to provide insights into real estate trends, market sentiment, property investment and luxury spending preferences. Censuswide surveyed 4,213 U.S. consumers, 25% of which were luxury (1,053 respondents in total). Research was conducted between Nov. 27, 2023 and December 11, 2023. Luxury respondents were classified as those aged 18+ with a household income of $1M+, or who have bought a home in the U.S. worth $1M+ or are planning to purchase a home in the near future worth $1M+. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on ESOMAR guidelines and principles. For more information on how data was collected and defined, please refer to the full methodology on page 4 of The Trend Report.[1] This data is sourced from an analysis of 130 U.S. markets by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. For more information, please reference the methodology section on page 4 in The Trend Report.
Local Services By This Author
The Windsor of Bradenton
Assisted Living 2800 60th Ave. W., Bradenton, Florida, 34207The Windsor of Bradenton sounds like a welcoming and reputable assisted living residence dedicated to providing quality services in a warm and comfortable environment. With over three decades of experience serving senior adults, The Windsor has established itself as a trusted choice for those seeking housing and service needs.It's heartening to hear that The Windsor prioritizes each resident's independence, choices, and dignity, creating a supportive environment where individuals can thrive and maintain their sense of autonomy.The invitation to visit for a tour suggests an openness and transparency that allows prospective residents and their families to experience firsthand the residential setting and the caring and helpful staff that make The Windsor stand out.Overall, The Windsor of Bradenton appears to be a place where residents can feel at home and receive the support they need while preserving their dignity and independence.