Heart Health Demystified with Mobile Tech

Accounting for 600,000 deaths per year, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. With the help of technology, however, you can monitor your diet, track workouts and make lifestyle changes to help decrease the risk of heart disease.

First, use technology to keep track of important vitals that can affect your heart health. The Heart Health 2 app allows you to record your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose levels, pulse and other stats. Not only can you have a better idea of these factors, but you can share this information with your doctors to help them better evaluate your needs.

Exercise is key to a healthy heart, and today’s apps make it possible to track your activity and your heart rate. The Withings Pulse Activity Tracker, for example, offers an app that lets you monitor activity levels, food intake, heart rate and sleep quality from your mobile device anytime day or night. You can also use the American Heart Association’s Walking Paths app to find new routes and track your daily walks.

Small changes to your diet can make huge changes in your heart health. According to the Mayo Clinic, planning meals and limiting portion sizes are great places to start. Use an app like Fooducate, a personal grocery advisor, to help you choose the foods that are best for your family’s dietary needs. Use the app to scan in foods and get nutrition information and, when applicable, options for healthier alternatives.

Finally, be prepared for emergency situations. The American Heart Association offers the Pocket First Aid and CPR app, which provides first aid and CPR instructions through videos and high-resolution illustrations that could save a life. Alternatively, the Pulse Point app uses location-based services to locate “citizen rescuers” trained in CPR in the event of an emergency.

test