February Is Heart Health Awareness Month

Hearts (Explored!) by qthomasbower of Flickr

February is well known for matters of the heart.  Aside from all the chocolates, roses and valentines, it’s also national heart awareness month.

What is heart disease?

The term “heart disease” actually encompasses many issues effecting the wellness of one’s heart, including coronary artery disease and heart attacks.

Are you at risk for this condition?

According to the Center for Disease Control, CDC,  heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health outlines risk factors that contribute to an unhealthy heart, these risks include:

• High blood cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Physical inactivity

How can you prevent this?

Here are some basic steps for protecting yourself from heart disease, as outlined by the CDC…

1. Eat a healthy diet. According to the American Heart Association, a heart healthy diet includes: atleast 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables, as well as three 1-ounce-equivalent servings of fiber-rich whole grains daily; and t two 3.5-ounce servings of fish a week. Its also important to limit your sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg a day, and limit sugary drinks to 450 calories (36 ounces) a week.
2. Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping track of your body mass index is an important tool in preventing obesity, which can lead to heart disease.
3. Exercise regularly. The CDC outlines the recommended amount of exercise needed to maintain a healthy body; in general remember
4. Don’t smoke. Did you know smoking contributes to about 20% of all cases of heart disease? Even nonsmokers should be aware of their surroundings.”It is estimated that around 35,000 nonsmokers die from heart disease each year as a result of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.” < this quote was taken from an article on smoking and its relation to heart disease, produced by WebMD.
5. Limit alcohol use. The American Heart Association recommends you do not exceed more than one or two drinks per day.

For more information on what you can do to prevent, or limit your chances of heart disease, I recommend checking out articles from these sites: heart.org, livestrong.com, and cdc.gov .