Quality Sleep Can Protect Against Heart Disease

November 18, 2020

Getting a good night of sleep has many benefits to both physical and mental health. It can help with weight loss, mental sharpness, mood, skin health, and more. In addition, sleep can also have a direct impact on heart health and heart disease risk. But getting quality sleep is a struggle for many people.

In a recent study, researchers found that adults who got sufficient, quality sleep had fewer early signs of heart disease than those who slept either too little or too much. People who slept five or fewer hours per night had 50 percent more calcium in their coronary arteries than those who got seven hours of sleep. On the flip side, people who slept nine or more hours per night had 70 percent more coronary calcium than those who slept seven hours.

Aim for Quality Sleep

Study participants who had restless or disturbed sleep were found to have 20 percent more coronary calcium than those who got restful sleep. In fact, researchers believe quality may be more important than quantity in determining sleep’s impact on heart health.

How does irregular sleep affect heart health? Click here to learn more.

How To Get Better Sleep

If you’ve had trouble getting enough quality sleep, here are a few tips:

• Don’t look at any screens – including your phone – for at least one hour before bedtime
• Keep your bedroom cool
• Play white noise
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time, even on the weekend
• Have a high-protein, low-sugar snack before bedtime

Did you know? Most heart attacks and cardiac arrests occur in the home. That’s why it’s so vitally important to learn CPR. Ready to learn? HeartCert is here to help. We’re offering virtual CPR training options to keep our students safe. Contact us to learn more.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. 

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications! Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in February 2018.

The post Quality Sleep Can Protect Against Heart Disease appeared first on HeartCert CPR Training.

How to Keep Kids Moving During Distance Learning

October 21, 2020

Physical movement has always been important for children, but that is even more true now, as distance learning has kept kids indoors and on screens. With the school year underway and winter fast approaching, parents are thinking about how to keep their kids healthy and happy in the coming months. The American Heart Association shared some insight and tips on encouraging physical activity while kids are learning from home.

What’s one easy way to protect your family’s health while staying at home? Learn CPR and first aid! HeartCert CPR is offering virtual CPR training options to keep our students safe.

The Benefits of Physical Activity For Distance Learners

Physical activity is important for people of all ages. Regular physical movement strengthens heart muscle strength, improves artery health, and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. It releases endorphins that boost mental health and well-being, which is especially important as we navigate these difficult and stressful times.

In addition, physical activity helps the brain perform better, and has been shown to boost academic performance. It helps kids focus and be more productive in learning.

How to Keep Kids Moving in Distance Learning

Federal guidelines recommend that children and teenagers get at least one hour of robust physical activity every day. But this doesn’t mean that you need to block out an hour for exercise during your already busy days at home.

Find ways to adapt distance learning lessons to include movement, even if it’s just asking students to stand up, move around, and come sit back down. Make activity a family affair. Go for a walk or bike ride together, or take 5 minutes for a dance break. It will benefit everyone. (If you’re looking for ways to make your family more heart-healthy, check out this blog post.)

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications! Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

The post How to Keep Kids Moving During Distance Learning appeared first on HeartCert CPR Training.

Four Numbers to Track for Heart Health

September 23, 2020

When it comes to heart health, it’s important to be aware of risk factors and health indicators long before a problem arises. But the sheer volume of information around preventative measures can be overwhelming. To keep it simple, here are four basic metrics that the American Heart Association recommends tracking on a regular basis. Doing so can help you identify and prevent a heart attack or similar issue down the road.

Blood Pressure

If you track just one measure of heart health, it should be blood pressure, experts say. An elevated blood pressure can have a significant impact on your heart. Talk to your doctor to understand your current blood pressure, and to determine a blood pressure goal. If you track blood pressure at home, make sure you’re getting accurate readings, and continue to see your doctor regularly.

Cholesterol

Because there are different types of cholesterol with different effects on heart health, it’s important to get a reading and understanding from your doctor. Continue to monitor cholesterol with regular blood tests.

Blood Sugar

Blood sugar is important because, when elevated, it’s an early sign of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease or stroke. Regularly monitoring blood sugar can alert you of a diabetes risk early, and give you time to make dietary changes.

Sleep

It can be tough to get enough sleep, but it’s important. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night – too much or too little can be harmful for your heart. The good news is that sleep is relatively easy to monitor and track, either through a wearable tracker or simply by writing down the number of hours you sleep every night.

What’s one additional way to protect the hearts of those around you? Learn CPR!

HeartCert CPR is offering virtual CPR training options to keep our students safe. Contact us to learn more.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout greater Minnesota. HeartCert offers a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

The post Four Numbers to Track for Heart Health appeared first on HeartCert CPR Training.