by Adrianna Morales

This month is National Heart Disease Awareness month. People live with this disease, while others do not know that they have a heart condition until it is too late. During the month of February, people are encouraged to focus on their health. There are several ways that you can keep your heart healthy.

There are many ways to keep your heart healthy. It is important to exercise daily and eat a healthy diet. You do not have to be on a strict diet and do a intense exercise, but it is good to maintain a healthy life style to prevent heart disease or to take care of your heart. To maintain a healthy heart, combine different foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Cut down any salty food like sausage, ham, bacon, fish, etc. Get enough sleep to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Avoid smoking – smoking not only damages your lungs, but your heart as well. You should be getting 150 minutes of exercise which is 5-10 minutes daily. Preparing meals for every week so you can keep track of your diet is also helpful. You do not necessarily need to go to the gym either; you can work out at home or you can go to a park and walk around. With Spring right around the corner, what better time to get outdoors!

What is Heart Disease Awareness month about? The whole month of February is to bring greater attention to heart disease as a leading cause of death for Americans. It affects ⅕ of Americans. There are over 30 heart diseases out there, while some are genetic, others can be caused by other risks such as alcohol consumption, smoking, sedentary lifestyle among others. The most common disease is Coronary Artery Disease also known as C.A.D, it is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart and other parts of the body. The symptoms from Coronary Artery disease are chest pain or discomfort, weakness, light-headedness, nausea, a cold sweat, pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder, or shortness of breath. There are many causes of heart disease, so it is really important for you to maintain a healthy life.