3 Lessons From Zoo Animals About Heart Health

When Matilda, the Colobus Monkey, and Pebbles, the Red-Billed Toucan needed extra care for their hearts, the amazing veterinarians at San Antonio Zoo stepped in to help! Just like these caring vets looking out for our zoo buddies, you can always turn to your healthcare providers to help keep your own heart in tip-top shape. See what you can heart health lessons you can learn from the zoo below.

Lesson 1: Heart Disease Is Not Always Obvious

In an animal haven like San Antonio Zoo, the dedicated veterinary support staff and animal handlers watch for seemingly trivial changes in an animal’s behavior or appearance that may signal heart problems. When animals are ill, they often hide it instinctively as their way of staying safe from predators, who tend to go after the weaker prey. That’s why vets do more than observe zoo animals from afar — they perform close-up examinations, checking the eyes, ears, nose and more to see if anything’s out of the ordinary.

In humans, some heart conditions may not show symptoms at all until they worsen. Also, we may tend to dismiss “trivial” changes in our body that may signal heart disease because they’re not affecting our daily lives drastically, but these signs may already be pointing to the risk factors that increase our risk of heart disease. Regular checkups can help discover if you have signs of heart disease. Consider visiting a heart care provider if you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Increased heart rate
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue

Lesson 2: Heart Disease Won’t Hold You Back

A heart disease diagnosis may often sound disheartening, but don’t lose heart. While there is no complete cure for any heart condition, your healthcare provider can help develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific condition and health status. The average life expectancy of a male spectacled bear increases by 25% once they live in human care like San Antonio Zoo. Likewise, heart doctors can help individuals with heart disease increase their chances of survival and live quality lives.

In order to understand your heart health status, your doctor may ask these questions during your consultation:

• Do you have diabetes, hypertension or other health problems?
• Are you experiencing chest pain?
• Do you have a family history of heart disease?
• Do you smoke or consume alcohol?
• What medications do you take?

Your doctor will perform physical exams and other diagnostic tests to further look for signs of heart disease. Test results will help determine the type, class and severity of your condition.

Lesson 3: You Can Control Some Heart Disease Risk Factors

While aging and a family history of heart disease are some of the risk factors you can’t control, the following are conditions or choices you may be able to control more effectively when you work with your healthcare provider:

• Being overweight or obese
• Being physically inactive
• Diabetes and prediabetes
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Unhealthy diet

If you are diagnosed with a heart condition, your physician may recommend lifestyle changes and certain medications, along with your possible treatment options, based on your thorough health evaluation. Here are some ways you can care for your heart:

• Consume a healthy diet – eating a variety of fruits, veggies, lean proteins and whole grains defines a well-balanced diet. Tell your doctor if you have allergies to certain foods so your diet can be adjusted accordingly.
• Exercise regularly – this could be as simple as daily walks, bike rides or sports. Your doctor may recommend a workout program tailored to your physical capabilities.
• Maintain a healthy weight – many factors can affect your weight beyond diet and exercise. Everyone faces different challenges and circumstances affecting their weight. If you find it tough to reach or maintain a healthy weight, reach out to your doctor for guidance.
• Quit smoking – smoking is a major heart disease risk factor. Your doctor may be able to provide you with tools such as nicotine replacements, behavior modification programs and other medications to help you stop smoking.
• Manage chronic conditions – team up with your doctor to help manage your existing chronic conditions and reduce the risk of developing other health conditions.
• Get enough and quality sleep regularly – adults should aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, while infants and children need more depending on their age.

Thriving Beyond Heart Disease

Your heart keeps you moving, day in and day out. But if heart disease prevents you from efficiently doing the things you love, the consequences can be profound, from exhaustion and discomfort to life-threatening heart attacks. Don’t wait for an emergency before getting your heart in shape. Contact a cardiologist to learn how to take better care of your heart.