With Valentine's day right around the corner, many people see February as the month of love, but it is also the month of the heart. February is American Heart Month. Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States? In 2020 over 380,000 people died from coronary heart disease, and over 20 million adults over the age of 20 are living with CAD (coronary heart disease. We want you to show your heart some love this February, with these 6 tips for a healthier heart.
Quit Smoking Eliminating smoking is the best thing that can be done for your heart and for your overall health. There are over 7,000 toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke that can damage your body’s ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your heart. These toxins also lead to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Get Moving Heart-pumping physical activity not only helps to prevent cardiovascular disease but can also improve overall mental and physical health. The American Heart Association recommends five, 30-minute exercise sessions a week.
Heart Healthy Diet Heart-smart foods are essential to a healthy heart and healthy lifestyle. A diet high in fats can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Fuel your heart with lean proteins, healthy grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Get Sleep When you are sleeping your body is restoring itself. Adults who sleep less than seven hours a night are more likely to present with health problems such as heart attack, asthma, and depression. Going to bed and waking at the same time each day are great ways to establish healthy sleep patterns.
Stress less Stress increases cortisol, which leads to weight gain which is a key factor for heart disease. Stress also leads to unhealthy habits making it harder to stick to a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Schedule regular visits to the doctor The best thing you can do for your heart is to see your doctor. Make sure you are following age and risk-factor-appropriate recommendations for regular health screenings with your doctor.
February is American Heart Month, Take this time to recommit to making the diet and lifestyle choices needed to keep your heart healthy and strong.