Not only is February American Heart Month, but it's Heart Disease Awareness Month, making it doubly important to take steps to improve your heart health. As cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, it's long overdue that all of us, as a nation, take better care of our hearts.
A healthy lifestyle will make your heart healthier and help you to lead a longer life! Here are a handful of things that you can do to better your heart this month!
Let's get physical. Like any muscle in your body, the heart grows stronger with exercise. Luckily, you don't have to be a triathlete to reap the benefits of a healthy heart through exercise - The American Heart Association says that as little as 30 minutes a day, five times a week of aerobic exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease. So get moving!
Ditch the salt. Too much salt can damage blood vessels and increase your risk of developing hypertension (a.k.a. high blood pressure). To maintain healthy blood pressure, avoid sprinkling your meals in salt and watch what you eat. That's right, more than 75 percent of our sodium consumption comes from processed foods and meals at restaurants. All the more reason to cook at home and buy fresh, whole foods!
Give up smoking. Smoking gets a bad rap when it comes to lung health, but it does just as much damage to the heart, too. Smoking is one of the main causes of coronary heart disease. It's estimated that your risk of a heart attack falls to about half after only one year after giving up smoking.
Eat healthier. It's no secret that the food we put into our bodies can help and hinder us. Avoid processed foods, meats, cheeses, sugars, and items high in saturated fat. Instead, eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, and more! Not only will you feel fuller for longer, but your health and waistline will improve!
The professionals at Jack Stone Insurance Agency wish you a successful American Heart Month with improvements to your lifestyle! For all of your insurance needs in Antioch, Brentwood, and neighboring cities in California, visit our expert team today!
