28 Ways To Love Your Heart For The 28 Days Of Heart Health Month | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

28 Ways To Love Your Heart For The 28 Days Of Heart Health Month

Make your health be your Valentine this year.

421
28 Ways To Love Your Heart For The 28 Days Of Heart Health Month
Amira Totah

February is American Heart Health Month. This is the perfect time for all of us to be more active, know the facts about heart disease and also spread awareness. For those who didn't already know, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women so it's important to be educated and take steps towards better heart health. I've put together a list of facts and ways to make this February all about your heart!

National Wear Red Day.

This takes place on the first Friday in February! This year that just so happens to land on February 1st. This is all about raising awareness and bringing attention to the cause!

Exercise. 

I know not everyone has a lot of time for this and it's easier for others, but even walking a little extra some days can make a difference. Get motivated and push yourself! Exercising is one of the simplest ways of preventing heart disease.

Healthy eating. 

Our eating habits can play a big part in having heart problems. Take it slow and cut out the junk over a period of time, this way you grow to not like it anymore.

Getting checked regularly. 

Many people think that heart disease is only something that happens to people who are older and that is FALSE. It can happen to any person at any age, therefore it should be something we all get checked for during random stages of life. Also, not everyone experiences symptoms so this could save your life.

Know the signs of a heart attack. 

For most people the signs are chest pain or discomfort, upper body pain, weird feelings in your arms, legs, jaw or stomach, shortness of breath, cold sweats and nausea.

The number one killer of women.

Heart disease is the number one killer amongst women. This adding up to be more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

Do yoga. 

It is proven that yoga can help lower your blood pressure because it slows down your heart rate. So for those who have high blood pressure, try yoga and see if it makes a difference!

Encourage the ones around you. 

If you have a family member who is stubborn about their health, make them get checked! You can try to guilt them into it if you have to but helping them can really make a difference of how long they are here with you.

Stop smoking. 

Smokers have more than twice the risk of having a heart attack than non-smokers. Everyone thinks nothing bad will happen to them (and I hope nothing does) but this one act can help expand your life dramatically.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. 

This goes hand in hand with exercise. Talk to your doctor about your weight and see if you are in the clear.

Laughing is good for your heart. 

Research shows that when you experience a good laugh, you increase your blood flow. This can have great positive effects on your health for as long as 24 hours!

Your heart works hard. 

The heart is the hardest working muscle in your body!

If you have diabetes you are at a higher risk. 

Diabetes can cause blood vessels to narrow or clog which increases the risk of heart attack (by double!) It is important to really pay attention to what you eat and monitor your health, especially when you have diabetes.

Most heart attacks happen on Monday's. 

The majority of heart attacks occur between 8 and 9 in the morning and on Mondays. (Weird stat, I know.)

Reduce stress. 

Stress leads to weight gain, a decrease in happiness and an increase in anxiety and depression, which are all key risk factors for heart disease.

Join an organization. 

Donate money to different organizations that are dedicated to raising awareness and doing research to find cures to different heart problems. Not only can you donate money, you can get involved, too!

Participate in a Heart Walk. 

The American Heart Association holds a heart walk every year in cities all across the country! This is a perfect way to get active and show your support for someone you know or maybe even someone you lost. Go to their website and see if there will be one at a location near you!

Adult hearts pump gallons. 

The average adult heart pumps over a gallon of blood per minute. This is enough to fill about 38,000 drinking glasses each day!

A broken heart is real.

Studies show that bad or sad news can actually increase your risk of having a heart attack. Death by broken heart?

Act F-A-S-T. 

F-A-S-T is an acronym used when you think someone is suffering from a stroke. It stands for,

F - Face drooping

A - Arm weakness

S - Speech difficulty, and

T - Time to call 9-1-1.

Knowing these symptoms can help save a life.

Take the pledge. 

Take the #MoveWithHeart pledge and encourage your friends and family to do it with you!

Go on an active date. 

Instead of going out for drinks, go on a hike or do something outside! This could be with friends or your loved ones! Get active and motivate the ones around you to do so as well.

Inform young kids. 

It's important to inform younger children about heart health! Teach them ways to protect their hearts and encourage them to be active.

Replace candy with fruit. 

If you are craving something sweet reach for some fruit instead of candy! If you are a chocolate person, try dark chocolate!

Dental hygiene. 

Having good dental hygiene can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke by 50%. Something so easy can impact your health so much!

Eat red. 

There are some healthy red foods you can eat to stay in the theme! Tart cherries, tomatoes, beets, strawberries, kidney beans, red potatoes and red lentils!

Choose your birth control wisely. 

Females who are on birth control may have a doubled risk of stroke, especially if you already have high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor to make sure it's safe for you!

Do research. 

It's smart to look up all about heart disease! Educate yourself and be aware of signs and symptoms. Know ways to get involved to help the ones around you and yourself!

Maybe that was a lot to take in but just keep in mind that heart disease can easily be prevented if you take action! Spread the word and encourage others to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187809
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13363
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456713
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25928
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments