Happy February! In addition to being the month of Valentine’s Day, February is also American Heart Month. Today on the blog we’re going to share some tips to maintain a healthy heart.
- Eat five servings a day of fruits and veggies (focus on eating the rainbow)
- Replace heavy condiments and mayonnaise with olive oil
- Coconut oil is very high in saturated fats and is not always a heart-healthy choice
- Try to squeeze in a serving of fish at least once a week
- Be mindful of sodium in your diet (high sodium can lead to high blood pressure)
- Quit smoking (smoking is a risk factor of Heart Disease)
- Stay active
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
- Find ways to relax and de-stress that work for you
Click here to learn more about creating a heart-healthy diet
Aging and the Heart
People age 65 and older have a greater chance of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and heart failure. One reason for this is the accumulation of fat in the arteries over time. Other age-related changes include:
- Artery stiffness/hardening
- Slowed or irregular heartbeat
- Heart wall thickening
- High Blood Pressure
Click here for more information about how aging affects the heart, plus questions to ask your doctor.
Be sure to visit the Ahead of the Curve Resource Directory to find medical care in your community.
