Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Spring 2019

citizensmemorial.com 5 LIVING WELL MAKE THEMOST OFMEDICARE’S FREEWELLNESS VISITS If you are insured through Medicare, you may not know that you qualify for free Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) with your primary care provider. These visits are an opportunity for your provider to discuss your medical history with you. From this conversation, your provider will develop a snapshot of your overall health and will have the information to begin identifying certain health risks that you may encounter. WHAT DOES AWELLNESSVISIT INCLUDE? You will fill out a questionnaire to help your provider assess your health. »» Your provider will measure your height, weight and blood pressure. »» Your provider will screen for any issues with memory or cognition. »» You will review your medical history together and talk about risk factors and preventive measures. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MYWELLNESSVISIT? Bring any relevant information with you, such as immunization records and current medications. »» Know your family medical history; your provider will discuss this information. »» Make a note of anything you might want to discuss. You may want to plan advance directives or ideas to make your home safer. And, equally as important, schedule your next annual visit as soon as possible. This will help you protect your health and make the most of your Medicare coverage. Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; HealthinAging.org Too much sodium— the main component in salt—can raise your blood pressure and hurt your health. Here’s how to cut back: Be a reader. Study food labels and choose products with the lowest amount of sodium per serving. Mix and match. If you don’t like the taste of low-sodium foods right now, combine them in equal parts with regular versions of the same foods. Season smart. Skip the salt shaker and flavor foods with garlic, citrus juice or spices. Source: American Heart Association 3WAYS TO SHAKE SODIUM »» Chest discomfort. Typically, that discomfort is in the center or left side of the chest. It usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like squeezing, pressure, fullness or pain. The feeling can be mild or severe. »» Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, one or both arms, or above your belly button. »» Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom. Or it may occur before or with chest discomfort . »» A cold sweat. »» Fatigue for no reason —sometimes for days. »» Light-headedness or dizziness. »» Nausea and vomiting. »» If you’re a woman know this: Like men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain. But women are more likely than men to have back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, or problems breathing. Is it a heart attack? Don’t wait—call 911 right away if you’re having: Remember: Every minute matters. Acting fast could save your life. Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute