With February being American Heart Month, many health care providers are encouraging their patients to make certain lifestyle changes. These changes are crucial to lowering your risk of heart disease, thereby ensuring you enjoy a long and happy life. In honor of American Heart Month, learn about what essential factors can help you maintain optimum heart health.

Stay Active

A sedentary lifestyle can damage your body. For people who sit most of the day at work, the risk of heart attack can skyrocket. These people also have a higher risk of perishing from a cardiac event when compared to those who have an active lifestyle. To reduce your risk for a cardiac-related episode, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends a minimum of 75 minutes of exercise per week. If you work at an office where you sit at a desk, try to reduce the amount of time you’re seated each day by standing at or desk or taking a short walk around the office when it’s time to fill your water bottle.

Eat Right

Some types of fats are healthy, like the fatty acids found in avocados. As a result, they’re an essential part of a healthy diet. However, trans fats, like those found in fast food and most baked goods, are not included in this group and can lead to increased levels of bad cholesterol and cause your arteries to harden. Not only does this increase your risk for heart ailments, it can also leave you more likely to experience a stroke.

Don’t Smoke

Health care providers routinely talk about the dangers of smoking. However, even secondhand exposure is enough to raise a person’s risk of heart disease. This is especially true for people with high blood pressure or problems with cholesterol. If there are smokers in your home, the best policy is to have them smoke outside to limit indoor exposure. 

As leaders in health care in Anchorage, AK, Hillside Family Medicine LLC & Occupational Medicine is dedicated to providing patients with essential information. When it comes to heart health, they are experts in performing diagnostic procedures and assessing patients’ needs, offering EKGs along with many other forms of testing. They also provide wellness exams to keep patients in tune with their current state of health. Schedule your appointment today by calling (907) 344-0200. You can also visit them online for more information on available services.