Keep your heart healthy this February

February is not only Valentine’s month but also Heart awareness month. Heart disease is the number one killer of women! That is incredible and totally avoidable. Whether you’re a man or a woman there are few easy rules to follow to keep your heart healthy. This month save a heart of a friend or family member or your own by following these heart healthy tips. 

It may seem like a no-brainer but, do NOT smoke! Smoking increases your chances of heart disease and stroke! Women smokers have a 25% higher risk of heart disease than men. Besides it smells, makes your teeth yellow and looks stupid.

Exercise regularly. If you’re not an athlete, it is okay, just get outside and walk. Starting slow and building up to healthy exercise regimen is fine. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator at your office, or walking around the block at lunchtime. Join a running club or exercise group, you will be challenged with others that are at your level.

Eating a heart healthy diet is crucial.  This means cut out the fried foods and saturated fats. Saturated fats can include red meat and high fat dairy products. Trans fats are also a no no. Trans fats can include deep-fried foods, fast foods, processed bakery products, packaged snack foods and margarines. Try eating salmon and oatmeal instead. Try and also keep your sodium levels down. This goes hand and hand with the next important tip. Know your numbers. This means, know your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  You should know your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels.  By finding out your blood sugar levels you can keep yourself from becoming diabetic. Diabetes can lead to heart disease too.

Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial to heart healthy living. More than 1/3 of all Americans are obese. That is startling. By eating healthy and exercising regularly, a healthy weight should be achievable. See you doctor or health care professional if your having trouble losing weight.

Having love in your heart and spreading it around is important too.  Happy heart and valentines month!