Heart Health Month and American Heart Month

 Tips to maintain heart health during

Heart Health Month and American Heart Month:

Understanding some Risk Factors: Understand the risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Knowing your risk can help you make targeted lifestyle changes.

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (such as fish and poultry), and healthy fats (like those found in nuts, seeds, and olive oil). Limit your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.

Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, combined with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. Regular exercise helps improve heart health and overall well-being.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight, especially around the waist, can increase your risk of heart disease. Strive to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to heart disease. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or hobbies that help you relax and unwind.

Get Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. I know for some that’s a WOW! REALLY! Yes, poor sleep can contribute to high blood pressure, obesity, and other risk factors for heart disease.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels: High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease. Have these levels checked regularly and follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for managing them.

Quit Smoking: If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Smoking damages the blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and increases the risk of heart disease. Seek support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or smoking cessation programs to help you quit.

Limit Alcohol Intake: Excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and contribute to weight gain. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation (no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men).

Know the Signs of Heart Disease: Be aware of the symptoms of heart disease, which can vary depending on the type of condition (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, etc.). If you experience any concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

Remember, heart disease encompasses various conditions such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and more. Taking proactive steps to maintain heart health can significantly reduce your risk of developing these conditions and improve your overall quality of life.

Any concerns about your heart health, talk to your PCP/ primary care provider, and can offer these tests:

Ct scan, Angiogram, Stress test, EKG/Electrocardiogram

Stay safe and Heart healthy!