February is American Heart Month

The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is chest pain or angina. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include: discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone; discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm; fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn); sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness; extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath; rapid or irregular heartbeats.
During a heart attack, symptoms typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral medications (medications taken by mouth). Initial symptoms can start as a mild discomfort that progress to significant pain.
If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY – Call 911 or emergency help!
Visit the American Heart Association Website to take a risk assessment quiz, it’s quick and easy and provides a quick action plan report to improve areas of concern.
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There are lots of ways SPI Group can help you formulate foods for a healthy heart. The following are FDA approved health claims for products in our line:

Soy protein:
FDA has approved a label claim for soy protein: “25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce heart disease. One serving of (this food) contains (6.25 minimum) grams of soy protein per serving.”

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
“Contains (32 minimum) mg of Omega 3” “Omega-3 has been shown to maintain a healthy heart”
Or
“Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”

Dietary Fiber
“Along with eating a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, fiber may help reduce blood cholesterol levels and the risk for developing heart disease.” (0.6 grams or more of dietary fiber)