As people plan for the perfect evening and the perfect gift to show their love on Valentine’s Day, St. Anthony Regional Hospital reminds everyone that the best gift you can give is a healthier you. February is National Heart Month, the perfect time to evaluate your heart health and ways it can be improved. “Heart disease, which includes coronary artery disease, stroke and heart attack, remains the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women,” says Dr. Kyle Ulveling with the Iowa Heart Center at St. Anthony. He outlines some of the key risk factors that include: high blood pressure; high LDL, or bad cholesterol; and smoking. The bottom line Ulveling says, “Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk for heart disease.” Some simple strategies can improve your heart health and make your loved ones happy you did. In addition to not smoking, limiting alcohol and managing stress, doctors recommend regular physical activity of a half hour to an hour of cardio exercise two to three days a week plus strength training for two to three days per week. Some simple steps to eating a more heart-healthy diet will provide positive changes. It is recommended to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables, to reduce bad fats and increase good fats. Finally, something as simple as a physical is the single best step you can take in caring for your heart.
