February-Healthy Heart Habit Month

February is heart month, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the US. Love for heart is shown on this month, and healthy heart habits are learnt to prevent Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). Though CVD, including heart diseases, blood pressure and stroke are common in both man and women, men are twice more likely to be affected by CVD.

Race and ethnicity has a great impact on CVD. For example, African Americans than any other ethnic groups develop high blood pressure that too quite earlier in life. Individuals with close relatives ailing from heart diseases have the tendency to develop CVD. Healthy habits, controlled blood pressure, diabetes and healthy living spaces could have prevented many CVD deaths, says the CDC.

Health check-ups once a year is recommended to rule out the risk of CVD caused by health conditions like blood pressure, blood cholesterol and diabetes. Blood pressure check-ups can be done at clinics, pharmacies or even at home. Blood cholesterol check-ups are carried out by simple blood test and should be done at least once every five years as high cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart diseases.

Five servings of fruits and vegetables should be taken every day for good cardiac health. Taking in food rich in fibre content and reducing saturated fat, cholesterol, trans-fat and sodium content in snack and meal are recommended by CDC.

About 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week is a must as physical activity lowers blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Limiting the consumption of alcohol and avoiding smoking is highly recommended for preventing CVD. Patients under medication for blood cholesterol, blood pressure and other heart diseases should take their pills on regular basis. Following healthy heart habits are not limited to February but to be practiced by everyone starting this month.

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