Good Morning and Happy Valentines Day! We all associate hearts with Valentines Day symbolizing love. What better day to discuss heart health than Valentines Day? I was reading my weekly VA Healthcare newsletter and came across this article "5 Steps to a Healthy Heart". I didn't realize February is also Heart Month.
What better way to show your love to those around you than to take care of your overall health and your heart.
Know How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
February 14 is Valentine's Day. Sweethearts exchange cards, give candy and send flowers. February is also Heart Month, a great time to take your health to heart. Each year, about 800,000 people die from heart disease. You have the power to reduce your risk of developing heart problems. You can start by taking five basic steps to improve your heart health.
Learn about Heart Disease
Heart disease is also called cardiovascular disease. It includes high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease. Certain risk factors increase your chance of developing heart disease. Some risk factors you cannot control, such as your age, family, and gender. Risk factors you can control include diet, activity, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. What you learn can help you be a better partner with your healthcare team.Talk with your healthcare team about changes you can make to help you reduce your risk and improve your heart health.
Know your Heart Health Numbers:
Lipid profile: for high cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia
Blood glucose: for high blood sugar, also known as diabetes
Blood pressure: for high blood pressure also known as hypertension
Body Mass Index: for weight, being more than 20 pounds overweight, also known as obesity.
Be Active
Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burn calories. By exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. A first step you can make to improve your heart health is to start walking.
Heart-healthy eating is simple; just eat what is good for your heart. Two ways to eat healthier is to read food labels and to eat the right balance of foods.
Make vegetables and fruits about half of what you eat. Vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber - and they are also low in calories. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and your blood pressure
Eat more unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full
Eat fish at least twice a week
Choose lean meats and poultry without skin
Select fat-free or low-fat dairy products
Choose and prepare foods with little if any salt
Learn to put together a heart-healthy plate (PDF)
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you are overweight, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by losing weight and keeping it off.
If you have too much fat - especially at your waist - you are at higher risk for heart disease. Men should have a waist no larger than 40 inches, and women no larger than 35 inches.
Knowing your Body Mass Index can help you gauge your body fatness. It is an easy way to check for excess weight.
Talk with your health care team about a fitness and food plan to help you lose weight and keep it off.
Do Not Smoke
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by
- lowering your ability to be active
- increasing your risk for having a stroke
- decreasing HDL (good) cholesterol
- increasing your risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurys
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