Understanding Heart Health: A Guide for Heart Health Awareness Month (Part 1)

February marks Heart Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and encouraging individuals to take proactive steps toward maintaining a healthy heart. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death globally, highlighting the importance of understanding how to care for our hearts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 695,000 people died from heart disease in 2021 in the United States which is 1 in every 5 deaths. * This month we will look at some important aspects of heart health, risk factors for heart disease, and tips for maintaining a healthy heart.

Our hearts have an important job – pumping blood through our body and delivering oxygen and nutrients to various tissues and organs. Keeping our hearts healthy is key to our overall well-being. Several factors contribute to heart health, including diet, physical activity, stress management, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking.

Some risk factors for heart disease, such as age and family history, cannot be changed, but several others are within our control. Common risk factors that can increase the risk of heart disease and other conditions involving the heart:

1. Poor Diet: Consuming a diet high in saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium, and processed foods can increase the risk of heart disease.
2. Lack of Exercise: Leading a sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
3. Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that damage blood vessels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack.
4. High Blood Pressure: Hypertension strains the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease.
6. Obesity: Being overweight or obese is associated with several risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
7. Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to heart disease by raising blood pressure and increasing inflammation in the body.
8. Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, contribute to weight gain, and increase the risk of heart disease.

In our next heart health article, we will explore tips for maintaining a healthy heart. Even one small change in our lifestyle can help make our heart stronger.

*https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm