Did you know February is American Heart Month?
It's a new year and time for a new you. It's all about making wellness a lifestyle by eating nutritious foods and staying active.
Here's some things to do stay fit, from the American Heart Association:
- Walk it out. Walking at least 20 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Coffee lovers, keep it up! A little caffeine pick-me-up may bring down your risk of stroke. Just one cup of coffee a week can make a difference.
- Squash high cholesterol. Adding a serving of acorn squash has nearly 10 percent of your daily value of fiber, which can reduce cholesterol.
- Don't hold it. The stress of having a full bladder may increase your blood pressure. Don't let holding it in hold you back from heart health.
The scary reality is, nearly half of all U.S. adults have some type of cardiovascular disease -- a percentage that reflects recently updated guidelines for treating high blood pressure, according to a January report from the association. High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – can lead to heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
We want to keep you safe. Do something for yourself this month and follow along with some of these tips and lifestyle changes. You'll be glad you did.