| February has arrived and you may be gearing up for | | | | stop. Tobacco use raises your risk for heart disease |
| Valentine's Day. You are buying cards, candy, and | | | | significantly. As many as 30 percent of all coronary |
| other gifts in order to get into that special someone's | | | | heart disease deaths in the U.S. each year are |
| heart. But there is another heart you should be | | | | attributed to smoking. By quitting now, you can lower |
| thinking about this month and that is your own; | | | | your risk significantly. |
| especially if you are a woman. Heart disease is the | | | | Lose weight or maintain your healthy weight by |
| number one killer of women and the American Heart | | | | balancing your calorie intake and physical activity. |
| Association has named February American Heart | | | | Incorporate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into |
| Month. Dedicate yourself to taking care of your own | | | | your diet and consume oily fish twice a week. |
| heart this year by following some simple advice. | | | | Limit your intake of saturated and trans fat by |
| Most women, when asked what their top health | | | | choosing lean meats, fat-free or low fat dairy |
| concern is, will name breast cancer. Breast cancer | | | | products, and avoiding products made with partially |
| accounts for one in 30 deaths in women but heart | | | | hydrogenated oil. Choose and prepare foods with |
| disease accounts for one in 2.6 deaths. It is important | | | | little or no salt. This will help lower your blood |
| to take steps that will improve your heart and to | | | | pressure which, if high, contributes to heart disease. |
| spread the word about heart disease in order to help | | | | Last, but certainly not least, get your blood pressure |
| protect others. Many of the factors that increase | | | | and cholesterol checked regularly and know what |
| your risk of heart disease are in your control. | | | | your numbers mean. You will want to aim for a total |
| There are three overall lifestyle changes you should | | | | cholesterol of less than 200/mg/dL and a blood |
| focus on to become more heart healthy; tobacco | | | | pressure reading of less than 120/80mmHg. |
| use, diet, and physical activity. If you use tobacco, | | | | |