February: American Heart Month

February isn’t just a month for love, but also American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health, the number one killer of Americans. Among the millions of people in the country who’s had heart attacks, President Lyndon B Johnson issued the first proclamation in 1964. Since then, US presidents have declared February American Heart Month. A time to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and encourage healthy habits to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Heart disease is one of the most widespread and complicated health challenges in the US and worldwide. Every year, more than 600,000 Americans die from heart disease. It is the number one cause of death for most groups. Did you know anyone can be at risk for heart disease regardless of age, gender and ethnicity? More and more, sedentary lifestyles put people at risk for diseases at younger and younger ages. 

Despite the challenges, there are many hopeful signs. Do you know how to keep your heart healthy? Many risk factors for heart disease can be modified, and heart disease is preventable in many cases. You can take an active role in reducing your risk for heart disease by eating a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, decreasing stress, and managing your cholesterol and blood pressure. Not only is February a great month to learn about heart disease, but also a great time to instill some heart-healthy habits into your daily routine. 

You can observe this awareness by simply talking to your physician about your risk factors. Walking is one of the healthiest and safest activities we can do for ourselves. Identify your risk factors and find healthy ways to combat them. Review and know the signs for heart disease risk:

1. High Blood Pressure. Millions of people in the US have high blood pressure, and millions of them are as young as 40-50. If you are one of these people, talk to your doctor about how to control it. 
2. High cholesterol, diabetes and obesity are all conditions that can increase your risk of heart disease. If you find yourself in one of these categories, work on eating a heart-healthy diet and getting some physical activity into your daily life. 
3. Smoking. Over 35 million adults in America are smokers, and thousands of young people pick up the habit daily. If you’re a smoker, do your best to quit or cut down. It is what is best for your health. 

If you would like to lower your risk of heart disease, you can do a few things. Don’t smoke, and if you already do, try your best to quit. The next step you can take is to make sure you manage any conditions you may have, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. It is essential to take doctor-prescribed medication and choose heart-healthy foods for nutrition. Seeking advice from a registered nutritionist is a way to find a nutrition plan that will work for you. Another critical factor is to reduce stress in any way you can. Don’t forget to stay active! Living a sedentary lifestyle will put anyone at a much greater risk for heart disease. Look into exercise classes at your local rec center or seek support from a fitness instructor. Exercise is also a great stress reliever for many people! 

There is a huge opportunity to increase heart disease awareness and reduce the risk of its progression. This year, many advocacy and research organizations support events to educate the public about cardiovascular disease and raise money for research and support services. 

If you or a loved one are in need of home care after cardiac surgery or chronic heart issues, consider Assisting Hands. They provide professional and compassionate caregivers who can help with meal preparation, groceries, shopping, and a full list of other services of in-home care. Find our list of locations by visiting https://assistinghands.com/location-list/

Written by: Lauren Foster