It’s Heart Month, so show your heart some love! According to the Canadian Government heart disease affects approximately 2.4 million adults in Canada. Maintaining a strong, healthy heart by living a healthy, active lifestyle is the best way to ensure you are reducing your risk of heart disease or stroke. While cardiovascular disease can be more common in some Canadians due to biological factors, we all can benefit from making healthier lifestyle choices.
Here are some ways you can help to keep your heart strong, this month and year round:
- Eat heart healthy foods, rich in vitamins and minerals, such as leafy greens, fatty fish, whole grains, berries, beans, garlic, olive oil, walnuts, dark chocolate and green tea.
- Ensure you are getting enough well-rested sleep and maintain stress levels.
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Limit the amount of higher cholesterol foods you eat. These include cheese, eggs, processed meats and fast food.
- Exercise regularly and keep active, especially during the winter months! It is recommended that adults should be getting 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise per week.
Making these simple, healthy lifestyle choices are your keys to maintaining good heart health!