February is American Heart Month.
February is American Heart Month.
It’s extremely important to raise awareness about heart health and how to lower your risk for heart disease.
It is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and there is a lot that can be done to prevent heart disease.
Take steps today to lower your risk of heart disease.
Here are some simple tips:
- Eat healthy.
- Get active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Drink alcohol only in moderation.
- Manage stress.
Everyone is at risk for heart disease. But you are at higher risk for heart disease if you:
- Don’t eat a healthy diet.
- Smoke.
- Are overweight or obese.
- Are not physically active.
- Have high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- Your age and family history also affect your risk for heart disease. Your risk is higher if:
- You are a woman over age 55.
- You are a man over age 45.
- Your father or brother had heart disease before age 55.
- Your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65.
By raising awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it, communities, health professionals, and organizations can work together to encourage people to live heart-healthy lives. Trust me, there is a lot you can do to prevent heart disease.