Heart and Vascular

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Live Heart Healthy

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States – claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Protect your heart by following the steps below. 


Know Your Numbers

Blood Pressure – less than 130/80 mm Hg is optimal
Cholesterol – a total cholesterol score of less than 180 mg/dL is considered optimal
Body Weight – a body mass index (BMI) of 18.6-24.9
Blood Sugar – target: 80 to 100 mg/dL


Steps to a Healthy Heart

  1. Maintain a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor about having a heart-healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid fatty and fried foods.
  2. Quit smoking. After quitting for a year, you reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%. Learn about UT's smoking cessation program at: www.utoledo.edu/offices/rocketwellness
  3. Exercise daily. We recommend at least 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Some ways to achieve this include: jogging, biking, dancing, swimming and hiking.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight. Through a healthy diet and exercising, you should also maintain a healthy weight.
  5. See your physician regularly for screenings to monitor your health.
  6. Avoid too much stress and manage your mental health. Participate in relaxing activities, such as yoga or meditation, to unwind and relieve stress.

Signs of a Heart Attack

  • Tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back or arms
  • Shortness of breath or anxiety
  • Dizziness, fatigue or lightheadedness
  • Clammy skin, cold sweat or nausea
  • Abnormal heartbeat including a sensation that your heart is skipping a beat or is skipping too rapidly

Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms than men.

Deanna Montanaro, ER nursing director, shares some common heart attack symptoms she sees in the ER.


Concerned about your heart? Make an appointment with a UTMC cardiologist by calling 419.383.3963, press option 1.

Last Updated: 6/27/22