Medical Services • Heart Care

Preventing heart disease

The best way to fight heart disease is through prevention. That's why Northwest Community Hospital is proud to offer our Heart Health educational series throughout the year. These seminars cover a wide variety of topics, including heart attack symptoms, women's heart attack symptoms, heart valve symptoms and more. There's sure to be one near you—visit our HealthConnection Services or call 847.618.4YOU (4968) to find out more.

Staying well after a cardiac event

Whether you were visiting NCH because of signs of a heart attack, signs of congestive heart failure, heart blockage symptoms, heart valve symptoms or heart condition symptoms, once you're out of the hospital, we want to help you stay well. That's why at NCH you'll be offered a wide range of lifestyle modification programs aimed at helping you take control of your health. These programs will give you valuable guidance on diet, weight control, quitting smoking and stress reduction.

The impact of smoking to your heart health

According to the American Heart Association, a smokers' risk of developing coronary heart disease is two to four times greater than that of a nonsmoker. Smoking increases blood pressure and the likelihood for developing blood clots. In fact, being exposed to people who smoke can impact your health negatively. Each year, secondhand smoke causes an estimated 22,700 – 69,600 premature deaths from heart and blood vessel disease. Click here for more facts about the dangers of smoking and information about Courage to Quit® at NCH, a comprehensive tobacco treatment program for adults.

Reduce your risk factors

To reduce your risk of heart disease or another heart attack, consider making the lifestyle changes that apply to you:

• Don't Smoke. Click here for more information about Courage to Quit at NCH
• Control high cholesterol.
• Control high blood pressure.
• Get plenty of exercise.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Control blood sugar.
• Watch how much alcohol you drink.
• Reduce the stress in your life.

Call HealthConnection at 847.618.4YOU (4968) or view our team of physicians to find a cardiologist or other physician who is right for you.

Mended Hearts: Support in the Community

The Arlington Heights chapter of the non-profit Mended Hearts organization was established in 1993 and exclusively provides support and resources to hundreds of cardiac patients and their support team each year. Mended Hearts members visit with cardiac patients in the hospital and draw upon their own personal heart care experiences to offer encouragement, advice and guidance before a heart procedure as well as during recovery. The Arlington Heights chapter also hosts health educational and wellness seminars throughout the year. For more information, click here.