Ten heart-healthy habits
February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it's also one of the most preventable. Being physically active, making healthier food choices, not smoking, getting plenty of sleep, and reducing stress can help prevent heart disease.
Take care of your heart with these 10 heart-healthy habits
1. Don’t smoke, vape, or use tobacco or nicotine products
2. Maintain a normal body mass index (BMI). Calculate your BMI.
The BMI scale for adults is:
- Less than 18.5: underweight
- 18.5–24: healthy weight
- 25–29: overweight
- 30–39: obese
- More than 40: morbidly obese
3. Limit alcohol intake. Women should limit alcohol to one or fewer drinks per day. For men, it's two or fewer drinks per day
4. Aim for an average of at least 7 hours of sleep per night
5. Get regular health check-ups, including regularly measuring cholesterol and blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetes risk
6. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and decrease your salt intake. Aim for a maximum of three grams of salt per day and choose fresh foods while limiting processed foods like frozen meals, canned foods, and packaged products
7. Practice relaxation exercises like meditation, yoga, and spending time in nature
8. Get plenty of exercise/physical activity: The best exercise is one you can do often, like a brisk walk, hike, swim, or gardening
9. Limit sitting time at the computer or TV
10. Manage your blood pressure: Maintain blood pressure below 120/80
Also be sure to visit your primary care provider regularly for check-ups, preventive care, to monitor your cardiovascular health, and to catch signs of a problem as early as possible.
