February is Healthy Heart Month, Cancer Prevention Month and Condom or Healthy Relationships month. This week we will focus on Healthy Heart Month. Friday was Wear Red Day to bring attention to Heart Health and the American Heart Association.
7 Tips for a Healthy Heart:
1. Eat Plenty of Fiber and Good Fat – Good Fiber includes Fruits, legumes, nuts, whole beans and oats. Good Fats – salmon, trout, vegetable oils such as canola, olive, safflower and soybean.
2. Lay off Cholesterol and salt – Eat lean meats, hide the salt shaker!
3. Lose the Gut- carrying fat around your middle is bad for your heart. Waist measurements should be less than 40 for men and less than 35 for women regardless of height.
4. Huff & Pump – Get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, a brisk walk 5 days weekly. Strength training improves overall fitness, improves fat burning capacity.
5. Calm Down – Negative emotions release hormones that can threaten the heart. For stress, try yoga, regular aerobic exercise, deep breathing.
6. Don’t Smoke – Smokers have twice the heart attack risk of non smokers.
7. Know your symptoms – Most know that chest pain and shortness of breath are symptoms of a Heart Attack. Other symptoms include: pain in jaw, neck or back, feeling weak light headed, or faint, discomfort in arms or shoulders.
Visit Consumer Reports for more Information on healthy living.
Visit Student Health Services for more information on keeping your heart healthy.
Sue George, RN
Student Health Services
02/07/2011 |