February is American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month
February 1, 2022
February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness for the most crucial organ in our body. Taking steps to protect your heart and protect yourself from chronic, underlying issues such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and high blood pressure is of the utmost importance. Fact: Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States? About 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year—that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.1
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. More than 116 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.2
High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. Many local pharmacies allow you to check your blood pressure for free. Blood pressure numbers higher than 120/80 mmHg can put you at risk, but you can make changes to get yourself in a healthy range.2
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!
- Start reducing your salt intake, as high sodium contributes to hypertension.3
Tips to Maintain a Healthy Heart:
- Use herbs and spices to season your food instead of salt.
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
- Stay away from trans-fats and saturated fats, as they raise the level of cholesterol in your blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.3
- 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.
1 “About Heart Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm.
2 “Facts about Hypertension.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm.
3 “Eat Smart.” American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart.
