Angina: A recurring pain or discomfort in the chest area. This discomfort is caused by some part of the heart not receiving enough blood. The pain can feel like heaviness, a burning sensation or discomfort in the left arm or jaw.
Bundle Branch Block: A condition in which the heart’s electrical system is unable to normally conduct the electrical signal.
Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle, causing decreased functioning of the heart.
Electrocardiogram: A method for studying the heart by measuring the electrical impulses of the heart as they are detected on the surface of the body. Also known as EKG or ECG.
Fibrillation: Rapid contractions of the heart muscles, sometimes called quivering of the heart muscle. When your heart is in fibrillation blood cannot be pumped in or out properly. Fibrillation can lead to cardiac arrest, stopping of all heart functions.
https://mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mikey-logo.jpg00The Mikey Networkhttps://mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mikey-logo.jpgThe Mikey Network2024-01-25 16:34:552024-01-25 16:35:065 Heart Health Definitions
The Mikey Network has a number of programs that provide education, training, and of course life-saving MIKEYS in as many high-risk, high-need locations as possible.
Mikey Young At Heart – The School Defibrillator Program
The MIKEY’s installed under this program are available to hundreds of high school and continuing education students, their teachers and school staff. The life-saving potential is even greater when you consider that schools form the heart of our communities. MIKEYS will also benefit all of the individuals and neighbourhood groups who regularly attend meetings, play sports,vote at their local polling stations, and participate in other special events held on school property.
Mikey’s Kids – The Mikey At Home Program
The Mikey Network has developed the Mikey’s Kids – Mikey at Home Program to allow children who have been diagnosed with a heart disease to go home when they would otherwise have to stay in the hospital. These children would not be able to be discharged from the hospital without receiving a MIKEY defibrillator unit.
Mikey On Board
The Mikey On Board Program is an initiative that provides training and places mobile MIKEY defibrillator units in vehicles that travel throughout local communities on a regular basis, including transport and moving companies. In early 2012, this program was launched with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® CANADA to place MIKEYs on all of the company’s moving trucks, and to train the drivers and movers in their use.
Mikey On the GO
GO Transit carries thousands of passengers each day, and having easy-to-access defibrillators on board is another way GO is putting the safety of its passengers first. GO was the first transit system in the Greater Toronto Area to equip its vehicles and facilities with MIKEY defibrillators.
Mikey Cops Are Tops
The Mikey Network is proud to help the brave men and women of the Toronto Police Service by offering a second chance at life to those who experience sudden cardiac arrest. No one knows better than police officers how quickly the unexpected can happen, and how fleeting life can be when it does.
Mikey Goes To Camp
Sending your kids to camp is an annual experience for many Canadian parents. At the same time they can’t help but worry about them being away – often out in a rather remote location – and how long it might take an ambulance to arrive if a medical emergency should happen. Now, everyone at camp can feel more comfortable knowing that a MIKEY defibrillator is close at hand.
https://i0.wp.com/mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/brooke-cagle-g1Kr4Ozfoac-unsplash-copy-1.png?fit=500%2C311&ssl=1311500The Mikey Networkhttps://mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mikey-logo.jpgThe Mikey Network2024-01-04 16:03:442024-01-04 16:03:53Everything you need to know about our Mikey Programs
For this reason, we want to highlight the importance of a diet that is full of fruits and vegetables and the benefits they contribute to your heart health. Which vegetables and fruits are the most heart-healthy though?
To help, we’ve shared below some of the best fruits and vegetables that you can have for a heart-healthy diet, as well as when they’re in season.
Heart Healthy Fruits and Vegetables
Berries
Berries such as strawberries and blueberries are believed to carry antioxidants that help to decrease blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. This is attributed to the benefit of compounds known as anthocyanins, and flavonoids.
When they’re available:
Strawberries: May, June, July, August, September, and October
Blueberries: July, August, and September
Cranberries: September, October and November
Raspberries: July, August, September, and October
Potatoes
Although potatoes can be more challenging to your heart-healthy dining, if you don’t deep fry them, they can be extremely good for your heart. They’re rich in potassium and high in fiber (if the skin is left on), which again, can help lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
When they’re available: year-round
Tomatoes
Similar to potatoes, tomatoes are high in heart-healthy potassium. Plus they’re a good source of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid that may help to get rid of “bad ” cholesterol, keep blood vessels open and lower heart attack risk.
When they’re available:
Greenhouse: year-round
Field: July, August, September, and October
Broccoli, Spinach and Kale
When it comes to your heart health, you can’t go wrong with vegetables. Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or kale can give an extra boost to your heart. These are high in carotenoids, which act as antioxidants and can free your body of potentially harmful compounds. They’re also high in fiber and contain lots of vitamins and minerals.
When they’re available:
Broccoli: June, July, August, September, and October
Spinach: May, June, July, August, September, and October
Kale: June, July, August, September, and October
Avocado
These soft, tasty fruits will provide your body and heart with plenty of healthy fats. They’re composed of monounsaturated fats, high in antioxidants, and also contain potassium to help lower heart disease factors.
When they’re available: (commercially) generally year-round
Asparagus
One of the most important heart-healthy ingredients that are found in asparagus is vitamin B6. This vitamin can lower homocysteine, a form of amino acid that has been linked to heart disease.
When they’re available: May and June
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers contain folate, another nutrient that can reduce homocysteine.
When they’re available:
Greenhouse: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December
Field: July, August, September, and October
Carrots
Carrots are rich in carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants that can combat free radicals that cause heart disease.
When they’re available: February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, and December
Garlic
Garlic contains phytochemicals that boost immunity and protect the heart against diseases.
When they’re available: February, July, August, September, October, November, and December
Onions
Onions are a rich source of sulfur-containing phytochemicals. These phytochemicals can reduce cholesterol levels, and therefore, prevent heart disease.
https://i0.wp.com/mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-1.png?fit=1048%2C752&ssl=17521048The Mikey Networkhttps://mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mikey-logo.jpgThe Mikey Network2023-10-12 00:10:122023-10-13 00:27:02Fruits and vegetables that are important for your heart health
With the summer season upon us, it means that many Canadians will be taking full advantage of the outdoors. Summer allows us to enjoy activities that we wouldn’t normally have the ability to do the rest of the year as the environment is often too cold.
For these reasons, Canadians tend to gravitate towards BBQing and eating outdoors as primary summer activities.
The change in climate doesn’t always provide you with the best benefits though, as foods that you reserve for summer can also bring a lot of risk to your diet. Many of us are prone to gravitating towards less healthy choices that might be higher in fat, such as burgers and hot dogs.
Here are some heart-healthy food ideas for you to consider this summer:
Recipes From Our Resident Expert, Marsha Rosen, RD Here are some heart-healthy recipes provided by Marsha Rosen, RD (Registered Dietitian). Marsha is Mike Salem’s sister and in addition to offering private nutrition counselling, Marsha provides group lectures, seminars and cooking demonstrations.
If you have a nutrition question for our dietitian, you can email Marsha here…
Do you have a heart-healthy recipe that you would like to share? Send your recipes to info@mikeynetwork.com
DO NOT SMOKE: if you have never smoked, don’t start. If you do smoke, quit. You will increase your life by 5 years for every year you are smoke free.
Enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet. Limit fat intake to between 15% and 30% of your total number of daily calories.
Exercise regularly, 20 minutes 3-4 times per week, or a minimum of a brisk walk daily.
Moderate your intake of alcohol. Guidelines by Health Canada suggest limits of two drinks per day…either 12 oz. Beer, or 5 oz. Wine or 1.5 oz. Spirits.
Limit your intake of salt and caffeine. (No more than the equivalent of four regular cups of coffee per day.)
Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night.
Have regular check-ups with your physician. Early detection is the key to a successful solution.
Keep a positive attitude and wear a smile… it takes only 22 muscles to smile, but 37 to frown.
Make time for leisure activities such as reading, hobbies, sports, TV etc.
Invest in CPR and AED education and training, and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
https://i0.wp.com/mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/the-5th-jkDLNDGougw-unsplash-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=16671000The Mikey Networkhttps://mikeynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mikey-logo.jpgThe Mikey Network2023-04-27 16:00:042023-04-27 16:00:30Here are some tips for heart-healthy living
