Every 36 seconds, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease. This reminds us of the impact heart disease can have on our community. Cardiac Rehabilitation provider, Shelly, Krcil, RN, BSN, shares helpful tips on how to keep your heart healthy during National Heart Health Awareness Month.
Keys to a Healthy Heart
If you smoke, quit.
Smoking is linked to various types of cancer, especially lung cancer, which accounts for 90% of lung cancer cases. Smoking can also harm non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
Exercise often.
Exercising for 150 minutes a week or more is another way to keep your heart healthy. Start with a 10-minute walk that feels “somewhat” hard and add on more time as you grow stronger, or as much as you can tolerate at once.
Manage risk factors.
If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugars in target range. If you have hypertension, limit your sodium intake to below 2,000 milligrams per day. If you have elevated lipids, decrease animal and trans-fat, and take prescribed medication.
Lower your stress levels.
Managing your stress levels can be a challenge. Find time to try something that is calming, such as meditation, talking to a friend, reading, listening to music, or simply finding a quiet space to ease your mind.
“Small actions build up to big changes over time. Good health is a journey, not a destination.”
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a customized and medically-supervised program of exercise and education on risk factor modification, nutrition, and stress management that targets the heart and helps people recover from heart attack, heart conditions such as heart failure and peripheral artery disease, coronary artery bypass (CABG surgery), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and valve replacement.
Studies show that participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation can prevent a repeat cardiac event in the future. If your medical history includes a cardiac event, ask your cardiologist or primary care provider if Cardiac Rehabilitation could help you recover and maintain your best heart health.
