February is American Heart Month

February is the month of love, so hearts are seen everywhere, but did you know since 1963, February has been American Heart Month? A month to raise awareness about heart disease and to promote cardiovascular health.

Heart diseases include blood vessel diseases, heart rhythm problems, and congenital heart defects. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed due to a buildup of cholesterol, known as plaque. CAD can lead to health issues such as heart attack, heart failure, angina (chest pain), stroke, and irregular heartbeat. (unicityhealthcare.com)

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in four people die from it every single year. The risk factors increase as you age, but there are many ways to help prevent:

– Be active, 30 minutes of moderate activity a day can really improve your heart health.

– Quit smoking, not only will this better your heart, it will help reduce the risk of other issues as well.

– Eat a healthy diet, get enough fruits and vegetables each day, and keep your salt and saturated fat intake to a minimum.

– Get regular checkups with your doctor.

– Reduce your alcohol intake.

– Maintain a healthy body weight.

– Reduce stress, take time out of your day for healthy ways to relieve stress.

As always, if you ever have any concerns, talk to a medical professional immediately. Prevention is key to living a long and healthy life.