The Heart is a vital organ that you can't live without. It is responsible for pumping blood and nutrients to all the other organs and tissues in the body. It's important to take care of the heart, because it's not easily replaceable and you often don't know there is a problem with the heart until it's already too late. 

7 Ideal Health Metrics from the AHA that help keep the heart heathy:

1. Not smoking!
2. Being physically active. (30 min 3-5x per week)
3. Having a normal blood pressure. (<120/80)
4. Having a normal blood sugar level. (<99 fasting, and <140 after eating)
5. Having a normal total cholesterol level. (<200)
6. Being a normal healthy weight. (BMI 18.5 - 24.9)
7. Eating a healthy diet. (Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.)

Major Symptoms of a Heart Attack: 

• Chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. You may also break out into a cold sweat.
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
• Shortness of breath.
• Unexplained tiredness
• Nausea or Vomiting

If you or someone you know is experiencing the above symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency department.

Many of the facts found in this podcast came from the follow websites:

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm

https://www.heart.org/