Heart-Healthy Tips in Honor of American Heart Month!

February is American Heart Month, a time when we all should be reminded to focus on our cardiovascular health.   We also celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, so what better time to consider a few lifestyle changes that can go a long way toward improving your overall health an potentially extend your life by reducing the risk of heart disease.

6 Heart-Healthy Tips for Adults

Are you putting in the effort each day to protect this important organ? Here are a few heart-healthy tips to consider:

1. Prioritize Exercise: Step away from a sedentary lifestyle and prioritize habits to stay active throughout the week. The ideal goal is to plan a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. Make sure to be exercising at least five days a week.
2. Adjust Your Diet: Focus your eating habits on heart-healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. At the same time, avoid foods that can take a toll on your heart health, such as sugar, red meat, and unhealthy oils.
3. Ditch the Cigarettes: Not only does smoking cause damage to your lungs, but smoking also affects your heart. If you want to lower your risk of heart disease, then it’s essential to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
4. Lose Weight: Obesity is a factor that can increase your risk of heart disease. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about weight-loss strategies so you can minimize the risk of a heart attack.
5. Manage Stress: Did you know that high-stress levels can take a toll on your heart? Doctors have found a connection between stress and heart disease, especially in women. So be proactive about managing your schedule and implementing stress-reducing activities, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.
6. Regular Checkups: Prevention is always better than treating chronic disease. Regular visits with your doctor are important to identify heart disease risk factors in the earliest stages. Your healthcare provider will run tests to check your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Then, you can work together to design lifestyle adjustments that minimize factors that contribute to heart disease.

Our Bonita Springs Healthcare Services team would like to wish you Happy Heart Month and Happy Valentine’s Day! If you need home health or hospice services, then reach out to us at your convenience to learn more about available services.