Choose Health Pillars for a Healthy Heart

February is American Heart Month as proclaimed by President Biden, so let’s look at fun facts about heart health and how the Choose Health pillars build a happy, healthy heart.
EAT WELL: It is no surprise that limiting junk food, fried foods and soda is a smart first step for heart health.  You can also add healthy things to your plate, like more colors! The American Heart Association recommends including a fruit or vegetable in every meal or snack.  We wholeheartedly agree.
MOVE MORE: The heart is a muscle and exercise helps to keep it healthy. Your heart beats about 35 million times in a year. During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times!  A combination of aerobic and resistance training has been long known to help maintain and normalize blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels.  Make a goal to get at least 30 minutes of movement daily.
THINK POSITIVE: Did you know that most heart attacks happen on Monday?  Stress hormones are hard on your body, especially your heart.  During American Heart Month make it a point to address stress in your life.  If you’ve never meditated, try using a “guided meditation” found online or download a free app like Mindvalley or Let’s Meditate.
SLEEP BETTER: Short sleep duration or poor sleep quality, is associated with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and atherosclerosis according to the American Heart Association.  Strive to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but if you’re young, you may need more.  Start tonight!
LIVE CLEAN:  Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.  When you breathe in smoke, your blood becomes contaminated with some of the 7,000 toxic chemicals found in cigarettes, which the FDA says can damage your heart and blood vessels.  Quitting smoking now will reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and more.
For more heart healthy ideas, go to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org
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