February is American Heart Month

It is American heart month! Each February is recognized as a time to acknowledge heart disease and how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. What better way to start the new year than by taking care of your heart and supporting those with heart disease. Read more below about American heart month facts.

American Heart Month is observed to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart disease can affect all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use. The best way to get involved with American Heart Month, is to follow some simple tips below.

Get a Check-Up

Start the year off on the right foot by visiting a doctor to get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked. These are very important factors to consider while preventing heart disease. Heart disease is a slow-moving epidemic that affects almost everyone. If you are worried that you may be at risk for heart disease, talk to a physician and they can assist in getting you on the right track to a healthy heart.

Stay Active

Although you may have been stuck inside this past year, there are still many ways to stay active to help keep your heart healthy. Start small with just a simple walk around the block, or a beginner workout routine in your home. Staying active, eating healthy, and watching your weight are all important parts of maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.

Heart Healthy Diet

New year, new you! A healthy diet is crucial to maintaining a healthy heart. Start small by swapping out a soda for a sparkling water. That will give you the carbonation you crave without all the added sweeteners. Opt for a heart healthy protein like fish instead of a red meat a couple of times a week. The steps you take may seem small, but they will go a long way in keeping your heart healthy.

Freedom Home Care

American heart month is a great time to remind us to take care of our heart, promote education about heart health, and spread awareness about heart disease. Looking for more tips? We at Freedom Home Care are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding heart disease and keeping your heart healthy. Don’t forget to wear red this month to show your support!