Did you know February is National Heart Month? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable if you follow best practices. We’ve rounded up six heart disease prevention tips to maintain a heart healthy lifestyle.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI). Calculate your BMI at CDC’s Assessing Your Weight website.
Eat a healthy diet. Adults should have at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day.
Eat foods low in saturated fat, Trans fat and cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet can also help lower blood pressure.
Limit your alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure. According to the CDC, women should have no more than one drink per day.
Exercise regularly. Incorporate a moderate-intense exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week.
Monitor your blood pressure. Did you know you could have high blood pressure and not even know it? Check out your blood pressure at your local pharmacy or schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Check your cholesterol. You should be testing your cholesterol levels at least once every five years.