WHAT IMPACTS YOUR HEART HEALTH?

The month of February is all about the heart! It is the month that celebrates both Valentine’s Day and healthy hearts. February is a time to be conscious of what affects your heart and how you can keep it healthy…for you and for those who love you. Hopefully you will learn helpful tips this month that you can practice all year long to keep your heart healthy and to keep happy all the people you heart.

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD) coronary heart disease (CHD), is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, with one in every three deaths from heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is also a leading cause of disability that prevents people from working and enjoying daily activities.

Some conditions and lifestyle factors can put people at a higher risk for developing heart disease:

·         Family history

·         Overweight and obesity

·         Cigarette smoking

·         Diabetes

·         Poor diet

·         Lack of physical activity

·         High blood pressure

·         High cholesterol

·         Excessive alcohol use

·         Stress

Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and determine which ones you can improve to lower your risk for heart disease.

Healthy behaviors to prevent heart disease:

·    Exercise regularly. The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. This involves increasing your heart rate and keeping it elevated for a period of time. Your pace should be only as fast as you can talk. If you are too out of breath to talk you are not getting enough oxygen and you should slow down to a more comfortable pace. Cardiovascular exercise helps to reduce stress, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Feeling like it’s too cold outside? See our Winter Exercise Ideas!           

·   Eat a heart healthy diet. Make your calories count by eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, healthy fish, and low in sodium and trans fat.      

·  Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid temporary diet and/or exercise plans and work towards lifestyle changes that can be maintained for years to come. Include exercise and a healthy diet in your everyday living. 

·   Know your ABCS:

o   Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day

o   Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment

o   If you Smoke, get help to quit

·   Limit alcohol use. Drink in moderation, which is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. 

·   Manage pre-existing conditions. Take your medication for high cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes as your doctor prescribes. Always ask questions if you do not understand something.

·   Manage your stress. Exercise, relaxation techniques, talking with family and friends, and time management are great ways to reduce and manage your stress on a daily basis. 

·   Have a well-visit with your primary care physician on a regular basis and follow his/her recommendations. You and your doctor can work together to minimize risk and prevent heart disease.

Consider taking 7 simple steps to check your heart health this month and to learn the areas in which you need improvement. Stay tuned next week to learn the differences in symptoms of heart attack in men and women. If you need help with changing your diet, managing stress, becoming more active, or making other lifestyle changes, consider free health coaching from your HealthNEXT team! Contact Dr. Haaz at SHaaz@CorporateHealthSolutions.com. 

Additional Resources:

American Heart Association – Factors that affect your heart