As we wear red today as an awareness to cardiovascular health, I would like for you to think about your heart health. Do you know your risk factors? How can you improve your health? How can you take control of you and your heart health?
Alarmingly, 1 in 4 people in the United States die from heart disease every year. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. We know that high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking contribute to heart disease. In addition, diabetes, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol use put us at a higher risk for heart disease. These risk factors can be controlled!
How can you lower your risk and improve your heart health? How do you take control? Begin by looking at you!
*Do you move every day? Why not wear a fitness tracker and begin to track your daily steps? Make it a long-term goal of 10,000 steps each day. Start small and build up your tolerances, one step at a time!
*What are your food choices? Are you drinking enough water every day? Can you increase your daily fresh fruits and vegetables? Why not limit, or, better yet, eliminate processed foods. Read your food labels and choose foods with 5 or less ingredients and no added sugars.
*What is your body mass index (BMI)? Just a small change in your weight can put you in a healthier category.
*Do you know your blood pressure? A healthy blood pressure should be less than 120/80. Is yours under control?
*What is your blood sugar level? Your A1C should be 5.6 or less. Prediabetes is defined at 5.7% - 6.4%. Anything higher than 6.5% may be considered diabetes. A few pounds lost and a modified diet change may work for you.
*Do you take time for you? Take each day to reduce your stress through breath work, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga!
Heart Health month is a great time for you to begin taking control of your health! Put you first and begin with one small step at a time.
If you are not sure where to begin, reach out to us! We offer many ways to make lifelong lifestyle changes. We’re here to support you on your journey to health so you don’t have to do it alone. Start working to prevent or delay heart disease so you can keep on celebrating the life you love all year long.
Juli Robine, MPH, PTA, CHES, Lifestyle Coach
“It’s never too early or too late to work towards being the healthiest you”