Any day is a good day to start living heart healthy, so why not take advantage of February being National Heart Month and take those steps now.
“Subtle changes such as taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood or changing out French fries for fresh fruit or vegetables can help make your heart healthier,” said cardiologist Manish Dadhania, MD, Vice Chief of Staff.
Known as the American Heart Association “Life’s Simple 7,” these lifestyle changes can empower people to take charge of their heart health in a doable way.
- Manage Blood Pressure — This can reduce your risk for a variety of cardiovascular conditions including heart attack, stroke and heart failure.
- Control Cholesterol — This can prevent or slow the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels which reduces the chance of coronary artery disease.
- Reduce Blood Sugar — This can help prevent diabetes which is a risk factor for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
- Get Active — At least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week helps your heart pump and blood vessels transport blood more efficiently.
- Eat Better — A diet oriented around vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean sources of protein helps keep the heart healthy.
- Lose Weight — This can ease the heart’s burden as excess weight may force it to work harder to send blood to the rest of the body.
- Stop Smoking — Studies have shown that kicking the habit can cut the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease by half or more, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dadhania, call 856-935-6700. For general information about cardiac services, call 856-339-3325. To schedule a cardiac test or procedure, call 856-878-6893.