American Heart Month
When we think of the month of February, of course, we all think of pink and red flowers along with chocolates. But we also think of love and hearts, which makes it the perfect month to be called National Heart Month. And 2020 marks the 56th annual American Heart Month!
Ensuring that your heart is healthy and strong is critical to your overall health and future. We want you to be there when your children buy their first home and even when your grandchildren make that big purchase! Here are a few different ways to make sure that you are taking the best care of yourself possible.
First, you should know your numbers. Go to your doctor to get your heart, your blood pressure, and your cholesterol checked. Cardiovascular disease causes an average of one death every 37 seconds in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Having your doctor check everything out is a great step towards focusing on your health.
Next, get into an exercise routine. Even just a walk after dinner can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Start small just to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting still and stick to it. Managing your stress levels is another way to lower your risk of heart disease. Practicing yoga, meditating, and exercising are all great practices for alleviating stress.
Finally, making sure that our diets are keeping our arteries, our valves, and our heart healthy is extremely important. Make sure that your diet is low in fat, try to avoid salt, opt for whole grains, increase your intake of fiber, and eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables.
Throughout the month of February, make your heart health a priority so that you can develop healthier habits that will stick with you for life!
Read more at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-month