February is Heart Month, a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health and what we can to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease. Below are a few tips to get you started:
1. Stop smoking- quitting smoking is the best thing that can be done for your heart and your overall health.
2. Know your numbers – maintaining and healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol play a significant role in maintaining a healthy heart.
3. Screen for diabetes- untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease.
4. Get active- opt to take the stairs, or 10-15 minutes of walking, jogging, swimming or biking.
5. Limit junk- added sugars, saturated fat and excessive sodium can all negatively impact the heart.
6. Stress less- stress leads to increased cortisol which leads to weight gain which is a key risk factor for heart disease.
7. Sleep more- sleep helps decrease stress, restores the body and increases overall happiness.