As 2023 approaches, we all look at the past and make resolutions for New Year. It is easy to get discouraged when starting new goals, so to help you kick off 2023 the right way, we have collaborated with Dr. Michael Njunge, Kiran Campbell (Registered Dietitian), Michelle Routhenstein (MS RD CDE CDN, Cardiology Dietitian), and Dr. Nathan Fisher to provide you insight on how to keep on top of your New Years’ Resolutions.
Why can having medical devices (blood pressure monitors, SpO2 meters, weight scales, etc.) at home help keep your goals in check?
Statistics show that the top-3 new year resolutions for men and women are all health-related goals, though you cannot achieve what you do not measure, and if we take the time to record our progress and review it, we will know if we’re moving in the right direction. (Michael Njunge)
Having medical devices at home encourages you to take control of your health outcomes. The American Heart Association recommends that if you suffer from high blood pressure, you should monitor yourself at home, in addition to regular check-ups with your doctor, as it allows you to observe whether your treatment plan and medications work for you, this can also reduce the incidence of false negatives. (Kiran Campbell)
Which lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, routines, etc.) and small steps can people make to stick to their goals?
Blood pressure responds very well to science-based heart-healthy nutrition, physical movement, optimal sleep quality, and stress management. It is essential to take a step back and see which lifestyle category you can improve on. Then take action by selecting one or two small things you can initially prioritize. For instance, if you choose to focus on nutrition, you may need to focus on a specific meal, like breakfast, and ask yourself; Is it well balanced with complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and heart-healthy fat? Does it have enough potassium? Etc.
Once you have made this initial change and established a habit, you can add small actionable steps to reach your goals (Michelle Routhenstein). Breaking down your goals into smaller, achievable steps will help you stay on track and progress toward achieving your goals. (Kiran Campbell)
What are the potential negative implications if people do not look after their heart health?
When you avoid paying attention to your heart health and optimizing your risk profile, you put yourself at risk for a cardiovascular event. Unmanaged high blood pressure can silently lead to heart failure, stroke, aortic aneurysm, vascular dementia, kidney failure, and sexual dysfunction.
The good news is that we can control these values and reduce the risk of these cardiovascular complications through science-based nutrition, but we need to take a proactive approach and implement daily actionable steps to achieve them. (Michelle Routhenstein)
What are the most common mistakes people make when starting a new years resolution?
When starting a new year’s resolution, people make a few common mistakes that can make it challenging to stick to their goals. These include setting unrealistic goals, not having a plan for how to achieve their goals, and not tracking their progress. Additionally, not having an accountability partner or support system can make staying motivated and on track challenging. (Dr. Nathan Fisher)
Why should people keep track of their data using medical devices to ensure they reach their goals?
Making lifestyle changes in addition to using medical devices gives you an advantage. When people are empowered with their health data, they’re more likely to hit their health goals, stay consistent, and feel more in control of their health. Everyone should monitor and keep track of their health information, as this will lead to noticeable trends to help you assess where further change needs to be made (if any) to progress in the right direction.
The great thing about home medical devices, such as the ones available through Qardio, is that your health information is at your fingertips.(Kiran Campbell)
Kickstart your year the right way, and control of your health this 2023 with Qardio.
Giving you smart health solutions, discover our range of award-winning products from our smart blood pressure monitor (QardioArm), wireless smart scale (QardioBase X), medical grade ECG (QardioCore), pulse oximeters (QardioSpO2), and digital forehead thermometer (QardioTemp).
