How healthy is your heart?

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States? February is Heart Health Month, a great time to learn more about keeping your heart healthy. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths nationwide are caused by heart disease. The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and proper management of health conditions.

It’s also important to know that heart disease doesn’t happen just to older adults. Younger adults are increasingly developing heart disease as well.

An important way to protect your heart is to schedule regular checkups and physicals with your doctor. Regular checkups and health screenings are vital to preventing and successfully treating a wide range of medical conditions, including heart disease. Annual checkups are especially important for detecting conditions such as high blood pressure. About half of people with high blood pressure aren’t successfully managing it, placing them at greater risk for heart disease. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the biggest risks for heart disease.

Another important way to protect your heart is to make a healthy diet a priority. Diets high in sodium, trans-fat, saturated fat, and added sugar increase the risk factors for heart disease. Try to fill at least half of your plate at each meal with vegetables and fruits. Try to incorporate more vegetarian meals into your diet and keep an eye out on how many foods you’re consuming that come from a box or can — many of these types of foods are high in sodium and are unhealthy in other ways.

Exercise is extremely important, too. Staying physically active helps keep the heart healthy. You don’t have to run marathons. A brisk walk daily can do wonders for your health. Ask your physician about what types of physical activity are the best for you. Combining regular exercise with a healthy diet can help you lose extra weight, which is also great for your heart. That’s because being overweight or obese puts added stress on this vital organ.

One last recommendation: If you smoke, consider the benefits of quitting. Smoking damages blood vessels and can lead to heart disease.

Take this opportunity to help others embrace heart health as well. If you have family members who have heart disease, who are at risk for heart disease or who have high blood pressure, help them meet the same goals you are setting for yourself.