February is American Heart Month

Heart disease can cause serious health issues, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.  The good news is that most heart disease-related conditions can be prevented with the right lifestyle choices.

Although the triggers for every heart condition are different, there are some common factors that increase the risk of heart disease and heart problems, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. During your next check-up you should talk to your doctor about making healthy lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk for heart disease. In the meantime, here are a few tips:

• Don’t smoke.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a diet focused on whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins.
• Eat foods high in saturated and trans fats, sodium, cholesterol, and added sugar in moderation.
• Aim for at least 2 and a half hours of exercise a week, or 30 minutes a day for five days.
• Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in healthy ranges.
• Find healthy ways to manage and reduce stress.

* https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/06/04/heart-disease-and-stroke-could-affect-at-least-60-percent-of-adults-in-us-by-2050 (accessed January 27, 2025)
**https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/about-million-hearts/optimizing-care/bp-control.html