Promoting Healthy Hearts as Self-Care

Heart health month is well underway! This month you will see lots of promotional information and statistics about heart disease. It is the number ONE killer of women in this country. Heart disease is partly genetic, but there are lifestyle modifications we can make to minimize our risks! Here are five (5) tips to help you better understand the causes of heart disease and actionable steps you can take to improve your health!

5 Tips To Improve Heart Health

1. Stop Smoking. Smoking damages the body in irreparable ways. Tobacco is one of the most addictive substances on earth. It is VERY difficult to stop smoking, but we CAN do hard things! Tobacco increases plaque formation within our arteries which leads to narrowing and poor flow. The chemicals used to process tobacco thicken the blood and increase your risk for blood clots and stroke.

2. Stop making excuses and MOVE!! Exercise is good for not only your heart but your mind and spirit as well. It doesn’t matter if you run, ride your bike, swim, dance, or do all of the above. Just get moving! Your heart will thank you later!

3. No matter how much you exercise, you cannot outwork a bad diet. You should supply your body with good fuel to ensure optimal function. Make it your business to shop outside of the grocery store. Fresh fruits and vegetables a

re essential with lean cuts of meat. Limit fried, processed fast foods. You ARE what you eat!

1. Watch your alcohol consumption. I like an occasional cocktail as much as the next person, but we should consume it in moderation. Over the long run, excessive alcohol can weaken your heart and lead to congestive heart failure.

2. Know your family history. If you have primary relatives (p

arents, siblings) diagnosed with heart disease (heart attack, diabetes), you should be conscious of your risk factors for coronary artery disease. You should begin monitoring your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and cholesterol ten (10) years earlier than when your loved one was diagnosed. Prevention is key!

Here’s to Your Health!