Access Focuses on Heart Month

At Access, we find it important each month to focus on a particular disease that is a common affliction suffered by many. This month, known as Heart Month, our focus is on cardiovascular disease.

According to the Center of Disease Control, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. These conditions are also leading causes of disability preventing people from working and enjoying family activities. Cardiovascular disease is also very expensive—together heart disease and stroke hospitalizations in 2010 cost the nation more than $444 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity. Unfortunately, we are not immune to disease regardless of how careful we are. However, we can fight back against heart disease and stroke.

Regrettably, almost every person knows of someone who has had heart disease.  As a company, Access prides itself on taking care of your loved ones who suffer with heart disease and are in need of our care. The following prevention programs and activities can help you or your loved ones prevent such circumstances from occurring: 

• Get up and get active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Know your ABCS:
• Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day.
• Find out if you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment.
• If you smoke, get help to quit.
• Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Take control of your heart health by following your doctor's prescription instructions.
• Reduce the amount of sodium and trans fat consumption.

These changes could reduce medical treatment for high blood pressure or cholesterol—and ultimately prevent heart attacks and strokes.

"Heart disease takes the lives of far too many people in this country, depriving their families and communities of someone they love and care for—a father, a mother, a wife, a friend, a neighbor, a spouse. With more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes a year, and 800,000 deaths, just about all of us have been touched by someone who has had heart disease, heart attack, or a stroke."
- Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

It’s also important to know that many people are not aware that they have cardiovascular disease and confuse these symptoms with normal signs of aging. The Acronym “FACES” is an easy way to identify symptoms, and a strong preventive tool to use:


“F” fatigue or tiredness.

“A” activity becomes limited or reduced.

“C” chest congestion or cough.

“E” stands for edema (swelling) in your ankles.

“S” stands for shortness of breath.

If any of these symptoms do occur, please contact your doctor to see if any of these symptoms are related to cardiovascular disease.  

Access Home Care and Hospice is highly regarded for making sure patients are given the utmost care when suffering from cardiovascular disease in the home. We hope these preventive tools are beneficial for you and your loved ones.  Please join us in support of Heart Month.