February is American Heart Month

January 29, 2016

February is American Heart Month and nobody out there should neglect how important heart health is! In fact, did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States? Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. More than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure.

High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important.

How to Control your Blood Pressure:

• Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be. Once you know what your blood pressure should be, you can track it over time and set a goal to meet it.
• Take your blood pressure medicine (if necessary) as directed. Make sure you set an alarm to help you take your medication at the same time as directed.
• Quit smoking – or don’t start to begin with!
• Reduce your Sodium intake. Too much Sodium raises blood pressure.

Tips to maintain a healthy heart:

• Use spices to season your food, NOT SALT!
• Incorporate plenty of physical activity and exercises into your daily routine.
• Limit or avoid trans-fat and saturated fat in your diet. Add more fruits and veggies instead.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get enough quality sleep.

To learn more about how to take better care of your heart, you can visit www.heart.org.

*This article does not claim to provide medical advice, but is instead intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor for professional medical input.