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Heart health is something that everyone needs to be thinking about. Too often, we don’t consider the health of our hearts until it becomes a serious issue.
February is Heart Health Month — the perfect time to take a closer look at this all-important organ, and how you can properly care for it.
When I’m evaluating my heart health, what should I be thinking about?
In order to practice good heart health, it’s important to understand what the heart is made of. The heart itself is a pump and a muscle.
But that’s not all. Heart health isn’t just about the heart — you need to think about the whole cardiovascular system. The heart’s job is to feed the entire cardiovascular system, from the arteries coming from the heart, to the veins going to the heart.
I don’t have to worry about heart health yet — do I?
Despite the conventional wisdom, you should start thinking about heart health now. Middle age is when we may begin to see the effects that begin to manifest into serious issues, such as heart attack and strokes. But data shows us that heart health begins from day one.
Proactive steps you can take, starting now
We live in a busy world, and our lives are demanding. Our own well-being and lifestyle choices are often shifted to the back burner. We need to adjust our mindset and realize that our own heart health deserves to be a priority as well.
The good news is there are some simple things you can do to practice good heart health. Let’s take a look:
- Get out and move. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity, five days a week (for most populations).
- Limit alcohol.
- Stop smoking. Smoking is linked to poor heart health, and an increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
- Fuel your body with a diet that’s rich in plants and vegetables. Keep animal products to a minimum, and round it out with lots of healthy oils that contain Omega-3s.