American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. This month is used to raise awareness about heart disease and how you can prevent it.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Heart disease can affect anyone at any age! Most people develop heart disease as a result of poor lifestyle habits, such as eating unhealthy foods, not getting enough exercise, or using tobacco. Practicing healthy habits at an early age can help prevent the development of heart disease when you are young and later in life.

To live a long and healthy life, it’s important to do the things that make you less likely to develop diseases and to know how to get better if you get sick. Keeping your heart healthy is one of the most important ways to make sure you are feeling your very best. If you start doing small things every day that keep your body healthy, you have a better chance of living a longer, happier, and healthier life.

Making small changes in your life can add up to a big difference in your cardiovascular health. You can take steps today to lower your risk of heart disease.

Have you taken care of your heart today?

Did you make healthy food choices?

Eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. They taste great and are great for you.

Were you active for 60 minutes?

Try for 60 minutes every day. A bike ride with friends or walks with your family are great ways to get started. Exercise plans get rained out? Turn up the radio and start dancing. Exercise every day and make it fun.

Did you get plenty of sleep?

Kids between 5 and 12 years old need 10 to 11 hours each night.

Did you stay far away from cigarettes and tobacco products?

According to the American Heart Association, smoking cigarettes or using tobacco products are some of the worst things you can do to your body. Just smoking a few cigarettes or using tobacco products a couple of times might make you addicted, and it can be very hard to quit. Using any tobacco product can cause heart disease and cancer. Using smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking!