February is the month of hearts, heart-shaped boxes of gifts, candies, chocolates, and teddies holding that little stuffed red heart. It is a time to raise a toast to those who make us happy and to our heart itself for being happy and healthy.
Apart from Valentine’s, February is also marked as American Heart Month. American Heart Month is a checkpoint for your heart’s health status. It is a great opportunity to take care of your heart, engage in activities that let your heart thrive, and socialize with people who make you feel wholesome. February is the best time to strengthen your heart against the black clouds of cardiovascular diseases.
Read on to learn about the various risks posed against your heart and how to fight them with respect to American Heart Month.
What Are the Risks Hindering Your Heart Health?
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) is the parent term for the maladies affecting your heart health. Here are the main diseases that come under this term:
- Stroke
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Aortic Disease
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
Each of these ailments has its own share of jeopardy over your heart. So, this heart month, check up on your heart and work on polishing up its health.
How Can we Celebrate Heart Month the Right Way?
Here are some ideas for you to celebrate American Heart Month the right way:
· Host Quit Smoking Campaigns
Smoking produces plaque in the heart cavities. The plaque then hinders regular blood flow to the heart, making it difficult to pump blood properly. It leads to atrial fibrillation, becoming the cause of strokes and heart attacks. So, the first thing you need to do for the sake of your heart is to stop smoking. Also, avoid secondhand smoke just the way you would ignore smoking by yourself, as secondhand smoke poses just about the same danger to your heart health. Host campaigns to raise awareness about the ill effects of smoking and second-hand smoke. Promote your campaign and influence people to quit smoking to shield their heart against the risks of secondhand smoke.
· Initiate Weight Management Programs
Draw out programs to help you and your loved ones get in shape. Host workout days at your workplace and actively participate in them. Anchor or join programs that provide support and advice during your weight management journey. Weight management helps you get hands-on to better heart health. Gaining healthy cholesterol or losing unhealthy fat is great for your overall health. Adding up to that, weight management drives keeps you active and increases your flexibility. These perks will benefit you in the long run as well.
· Serve Yourself a Hearty Meal
You know how they say that the way to your loved ones’ heart is through their tummies. Let’s finish that off by saying the way to your loved ones’ heart health is by a healthy, balanced, and, of course, tasty meal. Celebrate heart month by planning a healthy diet for yourself and your valuables. Say no to heavily fried fries and fat-indulged cheeseburgers. Conquer your cravings by devouring a nutritious snack instead. Incorporate the Rainbow diet in your meal plan. A Rainbow diet refers to a meal plan where one consumes fruits and vegetables of different colors.
· Get Social, Get Healthier
Socialize with people and spread the word about the risks of CVD and prevention for it. Try to exchange knowledge about the threats and reliefs of the disease with aptly educated professionals. Contact more people over the context of heart health and mental health, as they are directly connected. The more you know about your heart health, the more you spread the knowledge, the better it is for everyone. Clear out the many myths regarding heart health.
A word from the Doctor
American Heart Month is the time for us to give our hearts a system update. We are given an opportunity to prioritize and appreciate the efforts of our hearts. This is the time to fuel our ticker with the oils of nutrition and care. So, this Heart Health month, try to acknowledge your heart health by taking prime care of it.
And if you need further help in admiring your heart health the right way, contact me right away. I am here to help you.
