February is the month of hearts. You may be thinking of Valentine’s Day and hearts of love. While this is true, we here at SNAP-Ed are thinking of another reason why February is the month of hearts. February is known as the American Heart Month in raising awareness about heart disease. Heart disease is a term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the heart. This is also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Heart disease includes blood vessel disease, which is also known as coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias, and heart conditions that you may have been born with. Those are known as congenital heart defects.
Heart diseases are also known by other terms. Please note that this blog is not meant to offer medical advice or offer a diagnosis for your individual symptoms. If you think you may be experiencing heart disease, talk with a medical professional as soon as you can.
- Angina pectoris is when an individual experiences chest pain from a lack of blood flow.
- Heart attack is when part of the heart muscle dies from loss of blood flow.
- Heart failure is when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
- Arrhythmia is when there is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat.
Heart disease can affect anyone of any age, race, or gender. Causes of heart disease include high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, inactivity, being overweight, or having a family history of heart disease. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned or are experiencing any of these symptoms. Although it may not be heart disease, it is always good to put your health and wellness as a priority.
Did you know that making time for exercise is one of the best things that you can do for your heart? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity per week. If you are unable to commit to that, just know that any movement helps and makes a difference. Check out the physical activity guidelines to find suggestions for physical activity. Other risk factors for heart disease include sitting for long periods of time without enough movement, consuming too much salt and processed foods, not enough sleep, and an excess amount of stress.
Eating a healthy diet as part of your general wellness can help prevent heart disease. Heart healthy foods include fish such as salmon and tuna, as well as vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains. Recipes such as baked fish and vegetables or oven fried fish are delicious options when taking your heart into consideration.
Surrounding yourself with loved ones and filling your days with small moments of joy are also beneficial for heart health and your overall wellbeing. Taking a brisk walk after dinner and enjoying the cool air on your face or sitting outside in the sunlight are all beneficial for you and your heart’s health and your mood. Take care of your heart so your heart can continue to take care of you.
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