February is coming to a close, bringing with it the end of American Heart Month. However, that doesn’t mean promoting heart health and living a healthier life should move to the back burner.

There are approximately 92.1 million American adults living with cardiovascular disease or post-stroke conditions.[1] It’s also the leading cause of death in the world.[2] Every 40 seconds, an American dies of cardiovascular disease, or approximately 2,200 each day.[3]

Cardiovascular disease has a long-term financial impact as well, as the direct and indirect costs of it are approximately $316 billion and account for both health expenditures and lost productivity.

These statistics are alarming, but there are steps that we can take to improve our heart health and live a healthier life. The American Heart Association (AHA) lays out seven steps: get active, eat better, lose weight, stop smoking, reduce blood sugar, control cholesterol and manage blood pressure. [4] Following these can lead to better heart health and improve your overall quality of life.

The AHA’s Healthy for Good campaign provides a straightforward approach to attaining your health goals. The campaign encourages us to do four simple things: eat smart, add color to your meal, move more and be well.[5] You don’t need to diet or cut the foods you love out of your life to eat smart. But by limiting the amount of junk food in your diet and adding nutrient-dense foods, you provide your body with positive fuel. Moderation is the key. Incorporating fruits and vegetables will add some color to your meals and provide essential vitamins and minerals to promote good heart health.

Eating right is only half the battle. The AHA also recommends that adults participate in 150 minutes of physical activity per week. For children and adolescents, the AHA recommends an hour of daily physical activity. You don’t need to run a marathon or become a professional athlete to be fit. Instead, find an activity that you enjoy and works best with your schedule. The key is doing it consistently. Being active can also help combat obesity, which continues to be a growing concern in the U.S. Obesity affects more than 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children.[6]

Lastly, be well. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, managing your stress levels, practicing mindfulness and connecting socially with friends and family.

Remember, it’s never too late to address your health. Our heart is the most important part of our body, which is why it’s critical to keep it functioning properly. Treating our bodies right through proper diet and exercise is a full-time commitment, but it’s more than worth the effort.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about this or any community matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 315-452-1115 or at StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.

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[1] healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Heart-Disease-and-Stroke-Statistics-2017-ucm_491265.pdf

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/My-Life-Check---Lifes-Simple-7_UCM_471453_Article.jsp#.WpAk7oPwbIW

[5] healthyforgood.heart.org

[6] stateofobesity.org/obesity-rates-trends-overview