February is “Heart Month”, which is a national campaign that encourages Canadians to come together and help raise awareness and funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The Heart and Stroke Foundation promotes healthy living to prevent heart disease and stroke, saves lives by enabling better cardiac and stroke response and treatment and promotes recovery by helping and supporting survivors and their families.
Take the time during Heart Month and think about heart disease, get the facts and discover ways you can change to help prevent it from happening to you or your family.
What is Heart Disease? Heart disease is actually different conditions that affect the heart. The most common condition is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) which develops when a combination of fatty materials, calcium and scar tissue (called plaque) builds up in the arteries that supply blood to your heart (coronary arteries). The plaque buildup narrows the arteries and prevents the heart from getting enough blood. Click the link for a complete listing of heart conditions: https://tinyurl.com/ljeepxp
Some Warning Signs of Heart Disease:
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heart rate
- Weakness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
How to help Prevent heart Disease: Heart disease is a huge problem fortunately there are plenty of lifestyle changes you can make to help improve your heart health.
- Do not smoke
- Be physically active
- Drink less
- Know and control blood pressure
- Eat healthy
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce stress
- Visit doctor regularly and follow doctor’s advice
13 Foods to Eat to Help Reduce Heart Disease: https://tinyurl.com/qxwfegf
- Salmon
- Blueberries
- Oatmeal
- Dark chocolate
- Citrus
- Tomatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red wine
- Leafy greens
- Flax or chia seeds
- Avocados
The Heart & Stroke Foundation website has a ton of resources that will help you be informed about the foundation, heart disease and stroke, learn what they are doing to help, and they offer ways to help improve yours and your little ones heart health and keep them healthy https://tinyurl.com/k3alag6 .