Beat Heart Disease

You want to know something you should pour your heart into? Your heart’s health.

After all, it’s the pump that powers your cardiovascular system and helps to deliver oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other important substances to cells and organs throughout your entire body, enabling it to meet the demands of activity, exercise, and stress.

Unhealthy hearts, on the flipside, are the leading cause of death in the U.S. More than 900,000 Americans die of heart disease each year.

American Heart Month, celebrated each February, encourages people to learn about risks, adopt healthier lifestyles (diet, exercise, sleep, less stress), manage conditions like high blood pressure, and support research to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. A slew of related healthcare observances during the month keep the heart health vibe beating, including Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7-14), Cardiovascular Professionals Appreciation Week (February 7-15), Cardiac Rehabilitation Week (February 8-14), Heart Failure Awareness Week (February 8-14), National Wear Red Day (February 6), and National Heart Valve Awareness Day (February 22).

And of course, on February 14 – Valentine’s Day – we celebrate the metaphorical heart.

Six Tips for a Healthier Heart

We all want more Februarys, more Valentine’s Days, and more days in general. Six healthy habits can greatly improve your heart health, your quality of life, and most likely, your time on this Earth.

• First, know your risk. Get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly. And take a free heart health risk assessment.
• Second, eat healthily. Eat more vegetables and less red meat and processed foods. Limit your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sugar, and salt. An unhealthy diet can cause high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are often precursors to heart disease.
• Third, dump your vices. Stop or never start smoking and limit your alcohol intake. Smoking and alcohol can contribute to heart disease and several other maladies.
• Fourth, stress less. Stress can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Learn to manage or mitigate stressors in your life. 
• Fifth, be active. Your heart is a muscle, and muscles need to be worked to function properly. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day.
• And sixth, talk to your doctor. Ask your doctor what you can do to keep your cholesterol and blood pressure in a healthy range. Carolina Pines Medical Group practitioners get to know you as a total person, help coordinate your healthcare, and guide you toward your best possible health, starting with your heart. If you don’t have a doctor, you can find a primary care provider here.

A Heartfelt Final Word

Your heart works around the clock for you – every minute, every day, without pause. American Heart Month is a reminder that it deserves the same dedication in return. Small choices made consistently can protect your heart, strengthen your body, and add years to your life. And the best part is that you don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Every healthier meal, every walk around the block, every moment spent managing stress is a step toward a stronger future.

Getting Started

At Carolina Pines Medical Group, we’re here to support you on that journey. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward better heart health or managing an existing condition, our team is ready to help you build habits that last and provide expert care the moment you need it – like in a heartbeat.