February 10, 2025
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By Maurice Alston, DO, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist, Starr Cardiology Associates
The heart is an amazing muscle. Each day, your heart pumps over 2,000 gallons of blood, circulating oxygen through the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. With so much riding on the muscle, it’s no surprise that heart diseases are the #1 cause of death in the world. If your heart weakens or stops beating, cells throughout your body lose the nutrients they need to keep living.
February is American Heart Month – a time to celebrate all our hearts do for us, and to recognize what we can do to keep our hearts healthy. While the dangers of cardiovascular disease are real, the good news is that an estimated 80% of heart disease can be prevented. Simple awareness of habits and changes in lifestyle can greatly reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, and help you catch problems earlier when they do occur. This month, treat your heart well with these healthy heart practices.
Know your health numbers.
Managing your health is key to preventing heart disease, and two numbers essential to heart health are your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Blood pressure represents the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries as it travels through your body. If your blood pressure is too high for too long, it can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in your blood and comes in multiple forms, but we focus mainly on just two levels – high-density lipoprotein (“HDL” or “good” cholesterol) is healthy or good cholesterol. It is produced naturally by our bodies and its main job is to carry excess cholesterol from our blood and tissues back to the liver to be processed and removed. Whereas low-density lipoprotein (“LDL” or “bad” cholesterol) is gained by eating fatty foods with the liver eventually breaking down the products to form these particles. LDL helps form the plaque that can build up in your blood vessels, stifling the flow of blood to your heart, brain and legs. These blockages can lead to heart attacks, strokes and limb loss respectively.
Other risk factors include age, genetics, and sex (males have higher risk of cardiovascular disease), which are considered non-modifiable risk factors. Diabetes, obesity, alcohol abuse, drug abuse and nicotine abuse are considered modifiable risk factors. While some of these risks are outside your control, it’s important to monitor them and discuss them with your provider – the higher your baseline cardiovascular risk, the more vital it is to control the modifiable risk factors. This month, schedule an appointment to test your blood pressure, blood glucose (hemoglobin A1C) and cholesterol levels. Then ask your primary care provider how you can keep your numbers in a healthy range.
Eat a heart-healthy diet.
A healthy diet is the best way to modify your risk factors, and to get your heart the nutrients it needs. Reduce your “bad” cholesterol by eating foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains and leafy greens, and by consuming fewer saturated fats and trans fats. Lower your blood pressure by limiting your intake of salt, alcohol, and added sugar. When choosing proteins, focus on nuts, legumes, and lean meats like chicken or fish, while cutting back on red meat and fried food.
In addition, smoking is strongly linked to both high blood pressure and heart disease. If you’re a current smoker, reach out for help with quitting. Find free cessation resources by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Build a hardy heart with cardio exercise.
Like any muscle, your heart becomes stronger the more it’s used. Cardiovascular exercise – physical activity that elevates your heart rate – is essential for your health, and helps you manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The average person should get 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. This can equate to a 30-minute jog each day after work, or a couple evenings per week playing recreational sports. Find an activity you enjoy and set a time in your schedule when you know you can get up and move. I suggest finding an accountability partner to exercise with you.
Know the symptoms of a heart attack.
Not all heart disease has symptoms. Often, the condition is “silent,” with risk factors going unseen and unaddressed until the day of a heart attack. That’s why it’s so vital to discuss your risks with a provider. When symptoms do occur, they sometimes leave patients with little warning. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you love experiences any of the following:
- Pain or discomfort in the chest, arm, neck, or upper back
- Fluttering feelings in the chest (arrhythmia)
- Feeling dizzy, faint, or out of breath
- Women may also experience sudden nausea or exhaustion
No one should have to live in fear of heart disease. By taking charge of your risk factors, and recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack, you can lift a real weight off your chest. This Heart Month, schedule a visit with your primary care provider and ask about the steps you can take to live a healthy life.
If you would like to speak to a provider about your heart health, visit the “Find a Provider” tab to schedule an appointment today. In the event of a heart-related emergency, call 9-1-1. Minutes matter, and acting quickly may save a life, including your own.