February is American Heart Month, and to celebrate we’ve made a list of pointers to help you keep up your cardiovascular health. If you spend a little more time each day focusing on ways to improve your heart, you’ll be thanking yourself for the extra years you’ve added to your future. Here are five heart health tips to put you on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

1. KNOW THE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE.

Certain risk factors for heart disease are well-known, such as smoking and a poor diet. But what you may not know is that high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even diabetes can also greatly increase your risk of heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. If even one of these risk factors applies to you, these heart health tips can be very beneficial.

2. YOU DON’T HAVE TO RUN A MARATHON TO IMPROVE YOUR HEART HEALTH.

Doctors recommend some form of exercise daily to keep your blood pumping like it should, but you don’t need to be at the Olympic level to do yourself some good. A simple walk around the neighborhood can offer you huge benefits by keeping you active, and is one of the easiest heart health tips to follow.

3. SET A WEIGHT LOSS TARGET.

If your weight is causing health problems, turn it into a game of numbers. Talk to your doctor about your ideal healthy weight, and then divide your progress into small, achievable segments. Remember: progress is progress. A five-pound loss is worth celebrating as much as a fifty-pound loss.

4. BECOME BEST FRIENDS WITH THE NUTRITION FACTS LABEL.

Your trip to the grocery store should be an occasion for studying, matching and comparing labels on all your foods. You may find a low-fat or low-sodium version of your favorite food that tastes just as good. Make sure you look at how much sodium per serving is in your food—cutting back on sodium is a major way to avoid plaque buildup on the walls of your arteries.

5. FIND WAYS TO LIMIT STRESS IN YOUR LIFE.

Finding the right balance in life can go a long way in keeping your body functioning the way it should. While stress can physically put a lot of strain on your heart, it can also trigger other negative behaviors, such as overeating or alcohol consumption. Learn what your triggers are and avoid them as much as possible before they have a chance to stress you out.
You may feel like your heart is perfectly healthy, but every fast food burger and cigarette adds up over time to a damaged cardiovascular system. Follow these heart health tips and you’ll be thanking your past self for the extra years you’ve created for yourself. As always, we at Family Pharmacy are happy to give you the help you need to stay healthy and happy in all areas of life.