Cardiovascular disease is a leading global health issue. It kills millions of people each year, which is why the home health care staff at Lifetime Care in Rochester, NY, invite you to celebrate American Heart Month this February. By taking the right precautions, seniors and other loved ones will develop positive habits that will lead to better overall health for years to come. Whether you’re already dealing with cardiovascular issues or simply want to improve your health, here’s what you should know.

What Is American Heart Month?

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death around the world. Studies show that it’s responsible for 17.3 million deaths each year — a number predicted to rise to over 23 million in less than 15 years. This demonstrates the importance of protecting you and your loved one’s heart health, which is why the goal of American Heart Month is to educate and recommend lifestyle changes, especially for seniors.

During February, you’re encouraged to raise awareness of heart disease. You can do this in a few ways. Consider wearing red and uploading images of yourself to social media with the hashtag #theheartfoundation. Participate in funding events, and educate yourself on the details of heart disease. Better yet, donate to The Heart Foundation to support life-saving medical research.

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease?

There are a number of causes of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are some of the most prevalent and common in seniors. To avoid this, take steps to improve your diet and eliminate unhealthy foods and eating habits. Also, focus on getting at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. Consider taking a walk, stretching, and doing low-impact exercises at home. Your home health care professional should have suggestions and can provide assistance.

Seeing a cardiologist is also imperative. Whether you’re suffering from existing issues or not, they can look for risk factors and offer valuable advice on how you can further reduce your risk of heart disease.

It takes only a few changes to significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, so take strides this month to improve your health habits. The staff at Lifetime Care is committed to helping seniors in the Finger Lakes region maintain healthy lifestyles, offering a variety of home health care services. Call (585) 214-1000 today to speak with a representative and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their home elderly care services.