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The Importance of Heart Health

February is American Hearth Month, so let’s talk about the importance of heart health. According to Harvard Medical School, the heart beats about 2.5 billion times over the average lifetime. Its workload never stops, it’s a 24/7 - 365 days a year kind of job - pushing blood throughout the body. If it fails, the result is often fatal. So, how can you keep the most important organ in your body in tip-top shape? Read on to find out.

Blood Pressure
Managing your blood pressure can be challenging because you can’t feel if it gets too high. No symptoms or warning signs present themselves, making it especially dangerous. A healthy practice would be to have it checked regularly and talk with your doctor about controlling it if it’s too high.

Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is not an easy task, but it’s well worth it. Being overweight puts more strain on your heart and its job to pump blood throughout your body. Essentially, you’re forcing it to work overtime. Achieving a healthy weight allows your body to circulate the blood more efficiently and reduces your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, etc.

Diet
Nutritious foods are a must to keep your heart healthy. You can certainly splurge every now and then but eating a variety of foods rich in vitamins and minerals helps with your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Try to reduce your salt intake by using herbs and spices instead. Include more healthy fatsin your diet such as avocados, almonds and fish and reduce your alcohol consumption a bit.

You should take your heart health seriously at every age. If in your 20s to 30s you should:

• Start seeing a doctor and have annual wellness exams
• Learn your family history to become aware of genetic diseases or illnesses
• If you smoke; quit now (your heart will thank you)
• Exercise everyday (if possible) for at least 30-minutes
• Manage your stress through meditation, journaling, or deep breathing

If in your 40s to 50s you should:

• See a doctor annually for wellness exams, screenings, and important age-related check-ups
• Daily cardiovascular and strength training workouts
• Women: talk with your doctor about hormonal changes and how this can affect your heart health
• Learn and be aware of the warning signsof a heart attack and stroke

If in your 60s and older you should:

• Adjust your diet to maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise daily - walking & swimming are good options
• Talk with your doctor about an ankle-brachial index test 

At Touchette, our Cardiopulmonary Services gives you direct access to cutting-edge diagnostic technology. The team of caring medical specialists can diagnose and treat any heart condition that may be affecting your health. About 2,200 Americans die of heart disease each day - that’s an average of 1 death every 40 seconds (scripps.org). Don’t let this be you, take control of your heart health and if needed, let us help. Through our testing, we can identify any health problems associated with your heart to provide care for a variety of conditions. Learn more about our cardiopulmonary services here.