Most Recent Archives - A&D Medical

Heart-Healthy Holiday Gift Guide

Alijah Barnett — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:43:29 +0000

Heart-Healthy Holiday Gift Guide

Do you have a friend or loved one looking to get healthier? Why not encourage them to keep up their healthy habits with a thoughtful, but useful gift. The holidays are the perfect time to show you care and support their journey to better health. Here’s a heart-healthy gift guide filled with ideas that can help keep your loved ones on a healthy path while spreading joy this season!

Heart-Healthy Gift Ideas

For someone that loves to cook: Cookbooks focused on heart health

Cooking can be both delicious and healthy. There are lots of great cookbooks that emphasize whole foods, plant-based recipes, and low-sodium options, all healthy options.

The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 9th Edition: Revised and Updated with More Than 100 All-New Recipes  The most recognized and respected name in heart health has a cookbook with delicious, heart healthy recipes.

For someone that appreciates high quality ingredients: Artisanal Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is a staple of heart-healthy diets. A beautifully packaged bottle can make a thoughtful gift, perfect for drizzling over salads or using in cooking.

Brightland olive oil is cold-pressed by a master miller that keeps it fresh and flavorful, plus they come in sets that are packaged ready to gift. 

For someone that is busy, but wants to eat healthy: Personal blender

A compact blender is perfect for making smoothies packed with fruits and vegetables. It’s a great way to encourage healthy snacking.

The BlendJet makes blending fresh, healthy smoothies possible wherever you go.

For someone that likes numbers: Home blood pressure monitor

Regularly checking blood pressure can help individuals stay informed about their cardiovascular health and detect any potential issues early.

The A&D Bluetooth® Monitor connects to the FREE, highly rated Heart Track Companion App to make tracking blood pressure extra easy.

For someone that needs to relax: Herbal Tea Assortment

Herbal teas like hibiscus and green tea are known for their heart health benefits. A selection of high-quality teas can encourage relaxation and hydration.

Harney & Sons comes in an art inspired tin and Royal Pomegranate tea offers a light and layered blend of detoxifying green tea and antioxidant-rich pomegranate.

For someone that likes to try new ways to exercise: Fitness Classes

Gift a subscription or pass to local yoga or fitness classes. This encourages physical activity and stress reduction, both vital for heart health.

A gift card to ClassPass allows access to various fitness classes, including yoga, pilates, and more

Bonus Tips For Gift Giving

Personal Touch: Add a handwritten note with heart health tips or a favorite healthy recipe.
Encourage Togetherness: Plan a heart-healthy cooking night or a group fitness class to make the gift even more special.

Click here to add your own text

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HSA/FSA Reimbursement

Alijah Barnett — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 21:29:57 +0000

Take Control of Your HSA/FSA Reimbursement

Are you aware of which products are eligible for reimbursement?

Blood Pressure Monitors, thermometers, and pulse oximeters qualify for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). Additionally, a weight scale can be reimbursed if accompanied by a Letter of Medical Necessity.

How to Get Reimbursed with a FSA (Flexible Spending Account)

Contact your employer for details on using your specific FSA. Generally, to receive reimbursement for eligible purchases, submit a claim along with your receipt to your employer or plan provider. You’ll then receive reimbursement for your expenses. Make sure to track claim submission deadlines to avoid missing out on reimbursements. Maintain organized records of your receipts and necessary paperwork in case your claim is audited.

How to Get Reimbursed with a HSA (Health Savings Account)

To get reimbursed for eligible expenses with an HSA, ensure the expense occurred after your HSA was established. You can reimburse yourself by writing a check from your HSA account or initiating an online check reimbursement or transfer. Understand the annual contribution limits for HSAs, which helps with budgeting and planning. HSA funds grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free. Save receipts and documentation, even after reimbursement, to support your tax filings.

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5 Delicious Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving Sides

Alijah Barnett — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 21:14:39 +0000

5 Delicious Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Impress Your Guests

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food. But it doesn’t have to be a time to compromise on health. By incorporating heart-healthy ingredients into your dishes, you can enjoy a festive meal that’s both tasty and good for your heart.

Heart-Healthy Ingredients to Include:

Leafy Greens: Vegetables like spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support heart health.
Whole Grains: Ingredients such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats provide fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds are excellent sources of healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
Berries: Cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries are packed with antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Healthy
Fats: Olive oil and avocados are great sources of monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels.

Here are five heart-healthy side dishes that will keep your heart happy, and your taste buds satisfied.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans

Brussels sprouts are a fantastic source of fiber and antioxidants. This dish combines the nutty flavor of roasted Brussels sprouts with the sweetness of cranberries and the crunch of pecans. It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Find the recipe here

Quinoa Stuffing

Traditional stuffing can be heavy and high in sodium, but this quinoa stuffing is a lighter, heart-healthy alternative. Quinoa is a complete protein and is rich in heart-healthy nutrients like magnesium and potassium.

Find the recipe here

Sweet Potato Casserole with Oat Topping

Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, and they have a natural sweetness that makes them a favorite at Thanksgiving. This casserole uses an oat topping instead of marshmallows, making it a healthier choice.

Find the recipe here

Garlic Green Beans

Green beans are a low-calorie, nutrient-dense vegetable that can be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table. This simple recipe uses garlic and a touch of olive oil to enhance the natural flavor of the green beans.

Find the recipe here

Cranberry-Orange Relish

Cranberries are known for their antioxidant properties, and this relish combines them with the bright, citrusy flavor of oranges. It’s a refreshing side that pairs well with turkey and other Thanksgiving dishes.

Find the recipe here

These heart-healthy sides are sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy the holiday knowing you’re making choices that are good for your heart and delicious too!

The post 5 Delicious Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving Sides appeared first on A&D Medical.

How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home

Monika Patel — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 18:10:05 +0000

How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home

Maybe you were just diagnosed with Hypertension (aka High Blood Pressure), or you’ve had it for years and your doctor now wants you to start monitoring your blood pressure at home.

This can be a little overwhelming for many people, and it can bring up lots of questions, like will it be as accurate as when they take my BP at the doctor’s office? And how do I make sure I get a good reading?

But have no fear! With a little bit of background information and some practice, you’ll become a pro in no time.

Will my reading be as accurate as at the doctor’s office?

Many home blood pressure monitors are just as accurate as the doctor’s office. In fact, many doctors have started using automated BP devices in their offices because they eliminate the human error of manual methods.

But before you strap that cuff on, there are a few things to pay attention to first:

Use a clinically validated blood pressure monitor

This is more than just receiving clearance from the FDA or Health Canada, which is required for all blood pressure to be sold.

Clinical validation is an independent study that verifies the accuracy of the device using standardized medical protocols, and these studies are then published in peer-reviewed medical journals. You can view our clinical validations here. Our validations use the most recent protocols and we are included on the VDL and Hypertension Canada recommendation lists.

Use the right size cuff

Cuff size matters!

If the cuff you use is too small, your blood pressure reading will be artificially high. If your cuff is too large, you may get a lower-than-actual reading.

To determine the right cuff size for you, with your arm hanging at the side of your body, measure the circumference of your upper arm at the midpoint between shoulder and elbow.

Understand what can impact your measurements

While it might seem obvious that if you just went on a run or had an argument, you blood pressure might be a little high. But there are many other factors that can cause variations in your measurements, including the time of day, climate, altitude, and even the season.

On top of that, what you eat or drink (think caffeine) or even if you need to use the restroom can shift your measurements from your normal levels.

For 30 minutes before you take your measurement, do not exercise, drink coffee, caffeinated soda, or alcohol, and do not smoke.
Sit quietly for 5-10 minutes to relax.

https://youtu.be/k8njAaOo1Y0

How do I make sure I am taking a good reading?

Now that we’ve gotten the background information out of the way, it’s time to get started!

Sit with your back straight, your legs uncrossed, and your feet flat on the floor.
Place the cuff on your left arm or wrist (unless your doctor has advised you to use your right side).
- For upper arm monitors, wrap the cuff around the middle of your bare upper arm, about ½” above the elbow. It should be fastened snugly, but you should be able to slide two fingers underneath the cuff. Place the air hose on the inside of the arm near the crook of your elbow so that the artery position mark (if your model has one) is aligned with your brachial artery.
- For wrist monitors, with the palm facing upwards, attach the monitor to the inside of your wrist. Fasten securely with the top edge of the cuff aligned with the crease of your wrist.
Rest your arm on a table so cuff is at heart level.
- For upper arm monitors, the cuff around your upper arm should be even with your heart. Your hand should rest on the table, palm up.
- For wrist monitors, you’ll need to bend your elbow to bring your wrist to heart level. Positioning your wrist at heart level is critical for an accurate measurement.
Press start. During your measurement, do not talk, move, or eat. Any one of these things can impact your measurement.

That’s all there is to it!

Bonus Tips

If you want to go the extra mile, there are a few more best practices:

Measure two times a day: once in the morning and once in the evening, preferably at the same time each day.
Log your blood pressure in a logbook or app, like A&D Heart Track.
Take multiple readings and average the results. Some monitors have this feature built in.

If you’re taking your blood pressure at home, you’re ahead of the curve. According to the American Heart Association, 46% of adults have hypertension, and monitoring at home has many benefits, like tracking your treatment, cutting your healthcare costs, and more.

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