Last updated 4 months ago
If you want to improve your heart health as part of your New Year’s Resolution for 2013, exercise will play a critical role in your efforts.
Physical activity is one of several actions you can take to help your heart, and this video has some tips for bringing more activity into your life. When you start heading to the gym and stop making excuses, you can get fit and significantly reduce your risk for heart disease.
Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose can help you accomplish your health goals through our accredited Chest Pain Center. Learn more by calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 724-2362 or visiting our website.
Last updated 4 months ago
A stroke is a serious, potentially fatal episode in which blood flow stops in part of the brain. This is also referred to as a “brain attack” because it occurs in much the same way as a heart attack. Like heart attack, stroke can be prevented through healthier habits and awareness of the many risk factors that exist with this condition. Here are some quick facts to help you better understand your risk of stroke and work to reduce it.
80% of strokes are preventable
There are controllable and uncontrollable factors at play when you consider your stroke risk, but controllable factors have a much more significant impact. These include hypertension, diabetes complications, and obesity, which are all prevalent health issues among American adults.
Preventing stroke risk pays off with overall health
All of the controllable risk factors for stroke relate to other areas of your health, so changing your habits will be beneficial for more than just one reason. For example, smoking increases your stroke risk while also putting you at risk for lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases, so quitting will show improvement across the board when you see the doctor for your next check-up.
Stroke survivors can experience recurrent stroke
You might think if you have had a stroke that you do not need to worry about prevention. However, just the opposite is true. If you suffer a stroke, you are 40% more likely to have a stroke in the future than someone who has never had such an episode. Working through a rehabilitation program will be the best way to prevent stroke if you are a stroke survivor.
Good Samaritan Hospital can help you get more in-tune with your stroke risk and start on the path to prevention through our accredited Stroke Center and H2U healthy living program. Learn more about these and more of our hospital services on our website or at (888) 724-2362.
Last updated 5 months ago
Read this fact sheet from the National Stroke Association to learn how stroke affects patients and what rehabilitative therapy involves.
Find out why it is vital to keep children seated securely in shopping carts in this alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The National Safety Council provides a detailed list of tips for safely decorating, serving food, and driving during the holiday season.
Learn various positive ways to cope with stress on this page from the American Heart Association.
Visit the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance online to learn how mood disorder support groups work and what you can expect during meetings.
Good Samaritan Hospital’s behavioral health services can help you work toward emotional wellness in times of intense stress. Schedule an appointment by calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 724-2362.
Last updated 5 months ago
The busy rush of the winter holidays can be exhilarating, but it can also increase the risk of injuries and illnesses. In order to promote the health and safety of your family, take the following precautions during your holiday preparations:
Check Lights for Damage
Although houses and trees can look magical when bedecked in lights, these long strings of wires can pose a fire hazard if they are not properly maintained and set up. Examine each strand for fraying, and discard any sets of lights that have loose connections or lack fuses.
Be Cautious When Climbing Ladders
Putting up lights can be a risky process, so minimize the dangers by using a ladder and following all safety instructions. Avoid reaching out to the side of the ladder or standing above the highest recommended rung. If possible, hire a professional to hang your exterior lights.
Position Candles Securely
When using chanukiahs and other types of candles, make sure they are firmly situated and that curtains, plants, and decorations are well away from the flames. Remember to remain in the room as long as candles are burning, so that any mishaps can be quickly corrected.
Use Holiday Plants Carefully
Certain popular holiday plants can be poisonous, and should be kept well out of the reach of children and pets. These include holly, mistletoe, Jerusalem Cherry, and bittersweet. If you do keep these plants in your house, watch for dropped leaves and berries that could be picked up and swallowed by a curious toddler or animal.
Practice Shopping Cart Safety
When shopping with small children, ensure that they are seated securely in a stroller or the cart’s seat, and discourage leaning over the edge, as it can cause an infant or toddler to lose his or her balance and fall.
If, despite your cautiousness, an injury does occur, visit Good Samaritan Hospital’s emergency department for quality care. With the help of our iTriage app, you can research symptoms, view emergency room wait times, and check in before you arrive! Call (888) 724-2362 for more holiday safety tips.
Last updated 5 months ago
Although a stroke is a medical emergency, a full recovery is possible thanks to modern medications and treatments. Watch this video for an explanation of some common signs of stroke as well as personal anecdotes about how the condition occurs in real life.
If you notice a sudden change in sensation or strength, particularly a numbness or drooping that only affects one side of the body or face, seek medical attention immediately. Other symptoms of stroke include mental confusion, an inability to talk, an abrupt loss of coordination, and dizziness or severe headache with a rapid onset and no identifiable cause.
The Stroke Center at Good Samaritan Hospital is dedicated to providing rapid care for stroke patients 24 hours a day. For non-emergency information and physician referrals, call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 724-2362.
