Heart Health

This program's goal is to help you learn to manage your symptoms so you can keep doing the things you enjoy. Ready to get started? Review the heart failure guide for tips to help you get on the road to better health. The American Heart Association is an independent organization that provides health information you may find helpful. 

As part of this program, you will also receive:

• Information about how we cover your condition.

• Occasional updates about heart failure (HF) and its treatment.

• Great online information in the HeartHub.

• Telephone access to cardiac nurses to answer your questions or for counseling.

Making lifestyle changes can often help relieve the symptoms of HF, slow down its progression and improve your quality of life. Here are some of the most important lifestyle changes you can make:

• Restrict sodium. Too much salt contributes to water retention, which makes your heart work harder. It can also cause shortness of breath and swollen legs, ankles and feet. A common recommendation for healthy adults is between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams (mg) a day. Talk to your doctor about the amount of salt that's best for you.

• Limit fats and cholesterol. Limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. A diet high in fat and cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), which often causes or contributes to heart failure. BlueChoice HealthPlan also has a program for this condition called Great Expectations for Heart Disease.

• Limit alcohol and fluids. Too much alcohol can weaken your heart or cause your heart to beat abnormally, and may worsen HF. Alcohol also may not mix well with some medications used to treat heart conditions. Your doctor may advise you to stop drinking if you have HF. If you have severe heart failure, your doctor also may suggest you limit your intake of fluids.

• Exercise. Exercise was once forbidden for people with heart failure. But now we know that moderate exercise may benefit people with HF, because it helps your heart pump better, reducing the demands on your heart muscle. Before you start any exercise program, talk to your doctor about what’s safe and healthy for you.

• Stop smoking. Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood and makes your heart beat faster. For help quitting smoking, check out the resources available through the Great Expectations for Substance Use program.

• Weigh yourself. Do this each morning after you've used the bathroom, but before you've had breakfast. Notify your doctor if you experience a rapid weight gain of 2 to 5 pounds within one week. It may mean that you're retaining fluids and need a change in your treatment plan.

• Manage stress. When you're anxious or upset, your heart beats faster and you breathe more heavily. This can make heart failure worse, since your heart is already having trouble meeting the body's demands. 

• Pace yourself. While you can still do many of the things you used to do, it’s important to balance activity with rest periods. To give your heart a rest, try napping or putting your feet up when possible.

• Take your medication. It’s very important you follow your doctor’s orders about your medication. Remember the three "rights" — right medicine, right time, right dose.

• Learn your heart attack risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an independent organization that provides health information you may find useful. 

To enroll in a Great Expectations program or for more information about care management and access to helpful resources, log in to My Health Toolkit® and select Health and Wellness then Health Coaching.

You can also call us at 855-838-5897.

Note: The American Health Association, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are independent organizations that provide health information you may find helpful. 

Our goal is to help you understand more about your condition and show you steps you can take toward good health. Our heart disease education guide is a good place to start. As part of this program, you will also receive:

• Information about how we cover your condition. 

• Occasional updates about heart disease and its treatment.

• Great online information in the HeartHub.

• Telephone access to cardiac nurses to answer your questions or for counseling.

• Educational materials about heart health and reminders for recommended screenings.

• Online tools to help you create a heart-healthy action plan using seven simple steps.

Here are important steps you can take to improve your heart health:

• Know your body mass index (BMI). This takes into account your height and weight and is a good indicator of whether you are overweight or not.

• Lose excess weight if you are overweight. Being overweight decreases your ability to improve your heart health. If you need help with losing weight, check out the resources available through the Great Expectations for Weight Management program.

• Become physically active. Physical exercise can help strengthen your heart muscle, even if it’s just for 20 - 30 minutes on most days. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program to discuss what type of exercise is best for you.

• Quit smoking. If you smoke, it constricts your blood vessels and reduces the size of your arteries. This increases your risk for a heart attack. If you need help quitting smoking, check out the resources available through Great Expectations for Substance Use program.

• Control your blood pressure. A healthy blood pressure is under 120/80. The new definition of prehypertension is a blood pressure level between 120/80 and 139/89. A blood pressure of 140/90 and above is considered high and requires treatment. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease, so it’s very important to keep it under control. 

• Control your cholesterol. High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for developing heart disease. If your cholesterol level is high, you can usually lower it with a heart-healthy diet, exercise and, if needed, medication. Please have your cholesterol tested as ordered by your physician or other health care provider.

• Manage stress. Prolonged stress can have many negative effects on your body. 

• Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol intake may affect your heart health. Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol (if any) is OK for you.

• Keep your scheduled visits with your doctor or other health care professionals. Get your blood work and other tests done, as ordered. Take all your medications your doctor prescribes. Work with your doctor to get your LDL cholesterol under 100, if you have heart disease.

• Follow a heart healthy meal plan with good diet and nutrition. Foods lower in fat, salt and sodium are healthier for your heart. You can learn to choose delicious and satisfying foods that are also good for you!

• Learn your heart attack risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an independent organization that provides health information you may find useful. 

Ready to get started with the Great Expectations for High Blood Pressure program? Start by reviewing the high blood pressure guide. This guide can help you learn to take charge of your blood pressure and live a healthier life. 

Benefits of Participating

• You’ll receive access to online education and reminders for needed care.

• Our staff of experienced care managers — including cardiac nurses and health educators — is available to answer your questions and offer support.

• Depending upon your condition, you may receive phone calls from a care manager to help you set personal health goals to manage your high blood pressure.

Important Steps You Can Take To Manage High Blood Pressure

• Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and heart attack, so it’s very important to keep it under control. Research has shown healthy lifestyle choices, along with medication, can lower blood pressure and may reduce the chance of stroke by 35 - 40 percent, heart attacks by 20 - 25 percent and heart failure by more than 50 percent.

• Manage other health conditions and diseases. Work with your primary care doctor on the best plan of care for you and take medications as prescribed for conditions like high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and prediabetes. Ask your doctor if taking an aspirin (or baby aspirin) daily is right for you.

• Know your body mass index (BMI). BMI takes into account your height and weight and is a good indicator of whether your weight is in a healthy range or if you may be overweight or obese.

• Lose excess weight if you are overweight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease. If you need help with losing weight, check out the resources available through Great Expectations for Weight Management.

• Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can strengthen your heart muscle, even if it’s just for 20 - 30 minutes on most days. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program to discuss what type of exercise is best for you.

• Quit smoking. Smoking constricts your blood vessels and reduces the size of your arteries. This increases your risk for a heart attack. If you need help quitting smoking, check out the resources available through Great Expectations for Tobacco Cessation.

• Manage stress. Prolonged stress can have many negative effects on your body. 

• Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol intake may affect your heart health. Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol (if any) is okay for you.

• Keep your scheduled visits with your doctor or other health care professionals. You should have your blood pressure checked at each visit. Also, get your blood work and other tests done, as ordered. Take all your medications your doctor prescribes. Work with your doctor to get your LDL cholesterol under 100, if you have heart disease.

• Follow a heart-healthy meal plan. Foods lower in fat and sodium are healthier for your heart. Use these resources for tips to help you choose delicious and satisfying foods that are also good for you! The American Heart Association is an independent organization that provides health information you may find helpful. 

• Learn your heart attack risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an independent organization that provides health information you may find useful.