February is Heart Health Month
Choose healthy food and drinks
Choose healthy meals and snacks and be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.
Eating lots of foods high in saturated fat and trans fat may contribute to heart disease.
Eating foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol can help prevent high cholesterol.
Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can also lower your blood pressure.
Limiting sugar in your diet can lower your blood sugar level to prevent or help control diabetes.
Keep a healthy weight
People with overweight or obesity have a higher risk for heart disease. Carrying extra weight can put extra stress on the heart and blood vessels.
To find out if your weight is in a healthy range, you can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI).
Get regular physical activity
Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.
Don’t smoke
Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.
Take charge of your health
You and your health care team can work together to prevent or treat the medical conditions that lead to heart disease. Discuss your treatment plan regularly, and bring a list of questions to your appointments.