It's February – Are You Taking Care of Your Heart?

Date: 02/12/25

Have you noticed? Hearts are everywhere. Sure, it may be all about Valentine’s Day, but February is also American Heart Month. Either way, it’s a great time to think about taking care of your heart.

Here are 5 ways to take care of that most important organ that faithfully keeps you going day after day:

 

Eat for your heart. For breakfast, cook plain oatmeal — not the instant packets — and add strawberries and bananas as toppings. For lunch, try a salad made from kidney beans, chickpeas and black beans — and enjoy some avocado on the side. For dinner, choose salmon, trout or tuna. And if you want a snack, opt for berries, walnuts, almonds or pistachios.

 

Work it out. Exercise for 20 to 30 minutes every day. It can be an exercise class or a simple brisk walk or home exercise routine. Add to this by keeping your body moving whenever you can. That can mean housework, like mopping or scrubbing, or an active game of tag or catch with pets, kids or grandkids.

 

Take a stand. Our lifestyles involve a lot of sitting. Too much sitting. But when you move, it gets your blood flowing and helps your heart. So even if your workday involves a chair and desk, get up and move for a few minutes every hour. Schedule time throughout the day for short “walk breaks.”

 

Breathe. Chill. Repeat. None of us like stress. Your heart doesn’t either. Stress raises cholesterol and blood pressure, and both of these things are bad for your heart. Sometimes, we cope with stress with fatty foods or other unhealthy habits. For a better option to reduce stress, try making a list, exercising, meditation or yoga. Find healthy ways to stay calm and protect your heart.

 

Stop smoking. Smoking reduces your blood flow and causes high blood pressure, making your heart work harder. It’s never too late to quit. In fact, just one year of not smoking reduces your chance of heart disease and stroke by half.

 

Make a mental note — every time you see those decorative hearts this season, let them remind you to take care of your very own precious heart.