February is heart month. Every year, 1.5 million heart attacks or strokes happen in the United States and about 800,000 people die from heart disease in our country. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk:
- Watch your weight.
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Get active and eat healthy.
- Participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week.
- Eat a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium, saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol.
- Manage stress.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink (no more than one drink each day for women and two for men).
- If you have high blood pressure and are prescribed medication, take it as directed.
- If you have a family member who has high blood pressure, you can help by taking many of the steps listed above with them. Go for walks together or cook meals with lower sodium. Make it a family affair!
- Check your blood pressure regularly.
How much do you know about heart disease? Find out by taking this six question Heart Disease Quiz.
Let someone you love know how important it is to control and prevent heart disease by sending an E-Card.
Learn more about preventing heart disease and stroke via Million Hearts campaign.
