It’s American Heart Month. How are you taking care of your heart?
February is American Heart Month — a time to check in with your heart health plan. Heart disease remains the top cause of death in America, but there is a lot you can do to protect your heart.
Two important areas to focus on are:
Understanding your risk for heart disease
Living a heart-healthy lifestyle
Know your risk
Not all risk factors can be changed but understanding your personal risk profile can help you stay on top of your heart health plan. You can make changes to lower your risk where possible and partner with your doctor to make sure you have the right treatment plan.
Here are some questions to ask your doctor:
What is my risk for heart disease?
What screening tests for heart disease do I need?
How often should I get a checkup for my heart health?
If your doctor recommends medicine or a procedure, ask about the benefits and risks. [1]
Live heart-healthy
Making changes to your lifestyle is one of the best ways to protect your heart. Whether you have heart disease, are at risk for heart disease, or are completely healthy — living heart-healthy can benefit your overall health and quality of life.
Here are some heart-healthy habits to work on:
Track your health numbers. Check your blood pressure and weight as often as your doctor recommends. You can do it at a Higi Station!
Eat healthy. Choose veggies, whole grains and lean proteins. Avoid sodium, saturated fat and added sugars.
Get active. Make time to move your body. It can help you control cholesterol, improve blood flow and strengthen your heart.
Get good sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours a night. If it’s hard for you to get to bed at a reasonable time, set an evening alarm to remind you.
Quit tobacco. Consuming tobacco by smoking, vaping, or dipping can damage your heart and lungs. Quitting isn’t easy, but it’s worth it and you don’t have to do it alone.
Manage stress. Practice deep breathing, meditation and communicating with loved ones to keep your stress levels in check.
Creating your heart-healthy routine is a lifelong process. Try to be patient and remember that lasting improvements take time. Focus on making changes you can stick to, and progress will happen over time. Visit a Higi Station and join the Health Guide to get support on your journey.
1. Understand Your Risk for Heart Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute