The Heart of the Matter

In honor of Valentine's Day, let's talk about heart health. While many people openly fear cancer, heart disease impacts a similarly huge number of people both locally & nationally. (Check out our 2012 State of the County Health Report.)

We can't control some risk factors (like gender, age, race, & family history).


However, there are MANY behaviors that keep our hearts healthier!
- Be physically active & limit how much you sit.
- Sleep (quality & quantity are important).
- Eat heart healthy foods.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce stress levels.
- Don't smoke.
- Get routine screenings.
- Take medicines as prescribed. Other health problems (including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.) can negatively affect heart health.

For more info, search our blog or check out:
- Healthfinder.gov's Keep Your Heart Healthy (good, basic overview);
- American Heart Association's Getting Healthy (detailed nutrition, activity, stress, smoking, & weight resource) or Go Red for Women (tips by age, breaking habits, etc.).
- WebMD's Best Foods for Cardiovascular Health;
- Mayo Clinic's 8 Steps to Prevent Heart Disease (discusses healthy fats, whole grains, fruits/veggies, etc.).
- National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute's Health Information for the Public (risk calculator, disease info, & yummy recipe collections)
Or, search for the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet or Mediterranean diet for detailed meal planning help.

Also, learn the AHA's Heart Attack, Stroke, & Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs. It could save someone's life!

Happy Valentine's Day.