February is Heart Month

As discussed in Cardiac Health (Part 1), it is very important to your heart health to eat the right foods and drink plenty of water. We also touched on the importance of getting enough exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. The Surgeon General is recommending 30 minutes per day of moderate-intensity activity every week; this may include a brisk walk, cycling, or swimming. This will help you reach and maintain a healthy weight which is also important in mitigating cardiac disease; people who are overweight or obese unknowingly put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels which contributes to hypertension, coronary artery disease, and eventually heart failure.

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm

February is Heart Month

Cardiac disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Everyone knows the importance of eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight; we have all heard this speech more than once. However these three things can significantly lower your risk of cardiac disease and even promote heart health. Let’s start with a healthy diet; now this doesn’t mean going on the latest “diet” trend your friends are talking about. A heart healthy diet includes a diet low in sodium (less than 2 grams in a day), high in fiber, and low in fat (specifically those saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol). In addition to what your eating, it is just as important as getting enough water, general recommendation is at least 64 ounces daily. More to come in Cardiac Health (Part 2)!

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm