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February is American Heart Month and it's the perfect time to spread awareness about heart health! Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, but simple lifestyle changes can make a big impact. Start by incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and quitting smoking. Let's work together to raise awareness about the importance of heart health and take steps towards a healthier future.
"District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is urging people that now is the time to act. Consider making one, or several, of the below lifestyle changes. Here’s how to start:
1. Move more
Get at least 2½ hours of physical activity each week—that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Don’t chuck your goal, chunk it! Try 5, 10, or 15 minutes a few times a day. Some physical activity is better than none.
2. Eat healthy foods
A healthy diet that is low in sodium and saturated fat is key to heart disease prevention.
Such as eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, vegetable oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
Limiting foods sugar and other sweeteners.
3. Aim for a healthy weight
Being overweight is hard on your heart. It increases your risk of having heart disease, a stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Choosing heart-healthy foods and getting regular exercise will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
4. Quit smoking
The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your heart and blood vessels in many ways.
Quitting is hard, but many people have succeeded, and you can too. Ask your family and friends for support in your effort
5. Reduce stress and improve sleep
Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart risks.
Not getting enough sleep or regularly getting poor quality sleep increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions. Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep a night.
6. Know your numbers
Meet your heart health goals by keeping track of how much you exercise, your blood pressure, your cholesterol numbers—all of which can impact your heart health—and tell your doctor how you’re doing."
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