American Heart Month Tips

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness for those who have suffered from heart disease and educate yourself on what you can do to care for your heart. With over 48% of US adults suffering from cardiovascular disease between 2017 and 2020, now is the perfect time to take action and do what is necessary to live a long, heart-healthy life.

As a leading nonprofit dedicated to improving the nation’s health and well-being, the YMCA of Northern Colorado offers the following tips to help families in our community be heart healthy.

1. Get Physical: Being physically active every day is fun and can improve the function of your heart. Plan and schedule opportunities for active play; for example, include a brisk 10-minute trip around the block after meals or a 10-minute walking break during the day. If your family enjoys active video games, select versions that require moving the body’s large muscle groups while playing.
2. Take a Snooze: Lack of sleep has been associated with elevated cholesterol and blood pressure. Adults need at least seven, but no more than nine hours of sleep at night to aid with the prevention of heart disease. Children need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.
3. Shape Up Those Recipes: Makeover your family’s favorite recipes by reducing the amount of salt and saturated fat and substituting a lower fat food (for example low-fat yogurt instead of sour cream) can make a recipe healthier without sacrificing taste.
4. Feeling the Pressure: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lowering or maintaining normal blood pressure can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. Nearly 1 in 3 adults (about 67 million people) has high blood pressure and more than half of them don’t have it under control. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and discuss the results with you doctor.
5. Play Together: Spending time together as a family is a great way to reduce stress, which is important to heart health. Make homemade valentines for your children’s classmates or build a snow fort together in the yard or the park.

By incorporating these tips into your everyday life, you can rest easy knowing you’re doing your part to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease in the future. The American Heart Association is doing great research to determine cardiovascular trends amongst American citizens and provides excellent resources to ensure you are living your most heart healthy life.

If you or someone you know has been affected by cardiovascular disease, consider Donating to the AHA. It’s a great way to show your support and fund their research.