The Cardiovascular System and Heart Disease
The cardiovascular system includes the heart, arteries, blood vessels, veins, and capillaries . It moves blood through your body.
Heart disease describes many conditions that affect the heart . Your risk of heart disease goes up as you get older . Women have additional risk factors related to pregnancy. Preeclampsia or gestational diabetes may predict future heart disease.
Other risk factors for men and women are:
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
smoking
diabetes
unhealthy body weight
poor diet
too much alcohol
lack of physical activity
family history
Do You Have Heart Disease?
Sometimes it takes a heart attack to realize you have heart disease . Find heart disease early by watching for:
shortness of breath
chest pain or discomfort
pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
dizziness or fainting
Are You having a HeartAttack?
A heart attack happens when plaque builds up in the cardiovascular system. Men build up plaque in larger arteries while women build up plaque in smaller blood vessels .
Not all heart attacks are the same . Some are sudden and intense while others start slowly with mild pain or discomfort . Some people aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before they get help .
The Difference Between Men and Women
Men and women may not experience a heart attack the same way . Both can have shortness of breath , discomfort or pain in the chest that lasts or comes and goes. Women can have additional symptoms like:
nausea
indigestion
tiredness
dizziness
Get Help!
If you have a family history or think you may have heart disease , talk to your Primary Care Provider . Your PCP can help you take steps to prevent more severe problems like a heart attack or stroke. If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 right away . It might save your life .
Five Things You Can Do to Take Care of Your Heart
The good news is many heart attacks can be prevented with the right lifestyle changes. To protect yourself, stay smart about your heart :
- keep your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range
- exercise
- don't smoke
- limit alcohol
- eat healthy
Resources for TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
Provider Finder®
Ask your PCP about your heart health at your next visit. If you need help finding a PCP , use Provider Finder® to search by location, gender and specialty . A Personal Health Guide can help you find an in-network provider 24/7. Call 1-866-355-5999 or chat through the BCBSTX App .
Well onTarget®
Well onTarget® has interactive wellness programs and one-on-one support from wellness coaches – at no extra cost – to help you reach your heart health goals . They include nutritionists, fitness experts and more.
Wellness Coaching
Wellness Coaching will start you on the right path for your heart . It's included in your plan at no added cost. Take a Health Assessment today to find out where you stand .
Fitness Program
Get your heart pumping by being more active with the Fitness Program .
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
As a TRS-Care Medicare Advantage participant,you can access a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) at no added cost. The Lifeline PERS lets you ask for help when you need it — 365 days a year, 24/7. Just push the help button on your wearable device and a trained care specialist will quickly connect you to help .
Members, family members, caregivers, and health care professionals may enroll an eligible member by calling 1-855-595-8485, TTY 711, or visiting Lifeline from UnitedHelathcare . Please be sure to have the member address (where we'll provide the service), telephone number, date of birth and preferred language.
24/7 Nurse Support
Helps make your health decisions simple and convenient while providing:
Quick answers to your health questions anytime, anywhere
Access to registered nurses with clinical experience
Information to guide your health care decisions
Call 1-877-365-7949 , TTY 711 , any time for health information and support — at no added cost to you .
Silver Sneakers
As a TRS-Care Medicare Advantage participant, you have access to SilverSneakers , a fitness and lifestyle program, at no added cost.
What does SilverSneakers include?
- Memberships to thousands of fitness locations — visit as many times as you wish
- Group exercise classes for all abilities — fun activities held outside the gym
- SilverSneakers On-Demand TM — online workout videos that feature tips on fitness and nutrition
- SilverSneakers LIVE — virtual classes and workshops throughout the week
- SilverSneakers GO TM mobile app
Get started today. Visit SilverSneakers.com or call 1-888-423-4632, TTY 711 .
Annual Wellness Visits
Your plan covers one physical exam and one wellness visit per calendar year. You can ask your provider to combine the visits into one convenient annual care appointment. You and your provider can work as a team to create a preventive care plan for the year.
Emergency Room
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you think your health is at serious risk if you wait to get care.