Healthy You: Happy Heart's Month!

February is, of course, the time of year we celebrate love. Valentine's Day is a big part of February, but it's also the time we set aside to remember heart health. February is National Heart Month and that means it's the perfect opportunity to make sure your heart is healthy.

Once thought to be a men's health issue, but we now know that heart disease is the number one killer in women. In fact, the American Heart Association has a whole campaign devoted to women's heart health.

Go Red for Women is a campaign the AHA launched in 2004 to create awareness and educate women about the deadly dangers facing their hearts if they didn't act to change. Go Red is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle and education women on the risk factors and prevention techniques they need to reduce the rate of death by heart disease in our country. This program has sparked an incredible response and engaged thousands of women to take charge of their lifestyle and become healthier and reduce their risk for heart disease.

Keep your heart healthy. Following a heart-healthy diet and exercise program is your best prevention plan against heart disease. The American Heart Association website is full of great information to help in your journey.

Also, stop by our Nuclear Medicine department for more information on the services we provide to help make sure your heart is healthy.

Here are a few tips from their Heart Month brochure to ensure a healthy, happy heart:

Tips for Managing Your Risk for Heart Disease at Any Age

from American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women website

Htto://www.goredforwomen.org

In your 20’s:

· know early numbers that impact your heart health (blood pressure, total cholesterol)

· Check your family history

· DON’T SMOKE and avoid second-hand smoke

· Drink alcohol in moderation

· Choose birth control carefully (talk to your doctor about risks and benefits of all birth control methods)

In your 30’s:

· Tame Stress

· Make time in the day for yourself

· Choose birth control carefully

In your 40’s:

· Strive for more work/life balance and less stress

· Make your wellbeing a priority

· Get regular checkups

In your 50 ‘s:

· Monitor changes in your body and keep an open dialogue with your doctor

· Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, body mass index)

· Watch what you eat (low-fat, low-sodium, fiber-rich)

· Get physical (If you aren’t already exercising, you should be getting at least 30 minutes a day in)

In your 60’s and beyond:

· Know your risk (maintain regular check-ups and stay informed)

· Stay active