American Heart Month (February 2024)
important facts
by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing one in four people each year.
- Several health conditions, lifestyle, age and family history can increase your risk of heart disease.
- About half (47%) of Americans have at least one of the three main risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
- Obesity can lead to heart disease as well as high blood pressure and diabetes.
February is American Heart Month, a time when everyone can focus on their cardiovascular health. When you’re living your daily life, it can be difficult to take the time to take care of your mind. But showing yourself the love your heart deserves every day is easier than you think. Small acts of self-care like taking a walk, getting quality sleep, and cooking healthy meals can help your heart.
Living a heart-healthy life involves understanding your risks, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of developing heart disease, including the most common types of coronary heart disease. It is included. By taking precautions, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease that can lead to a heart attack. It can also improve your overall health and sense of well-being.
District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is reminding people that now is the time to take action. Consider making one or more of the following lifestyle changes. Here’s how to get started:
- move more
- Get at least two and a half hours of physical activity each week. That’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
- Can’t find more time in your day? Don’t throw away your goals, cherish them! Try 5, 10, or 15 minutes several times a day. Any physical activity is better than none.
- eat healthy food
- A healthy diet low in sodium and saturated fat is key to preventing heart disease.
- These include eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains (rich in fiber), vegetable oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Limit sugar and other sweeteners in foods.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol, as it can increase blood pressure.
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Being overweight puts a strain on your heart. Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Choosing heart-healthy foods and exercising regularly can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- quit smoking
- The chemicals in cigarette smoke can harm your heart and blood vessels in a variety of ways.
- Quitting is difficult, but many people have succeeded and you can too.Ask family and friends for support in your efforts
- Reduce stress and improve sleep
- Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart risks.
- Not getting enough sleep or regularly having poor quality sleep increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
- know your numbers
- Achieve your heart health goals by tracking everything that can affect your heart health, including your physical activity, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, and tell your doctor about your condition.
Quick link:
CDC | Heart Disease
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | American Heart Month
american heart association
