Love Your Heart, Love Yourself

Did you know that heart disease is the NUMBER ONE cause of death for women and is among the top three killers for Americans? Some risk factors for heart disease are out of your control, but most are controllable. Leading a healthy lifestyle and keeping your cholesterol levels in check can help you prevent heart disease. By loving your heart, you are really loving yourself!

February is American Heart Month and that makes it the perfect time to begin thinking about the health of your heart. By keeping your heart healthy, not only do you reduce your risk of heart attack, but you can enjoy a better quality of life and reduce that chance that you'll need the help of medications. A healthy lifestyle can do a lot. That's why this month is dedicated to raising awareness of heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Here are some things to do this month:

1. Check in with your doctor and have your cholesterol levels checked.
2. Learn about and start following a heart-healthy diet. Talk to your RD (Registered Dietitian).
3. Begin a regular exercise routine.
4. Find out about other risk factors for heart disease. Eliminate whatever you can.

This month on the GoodFood blog, we'll also be talking about how to keep your heart healthy. Check back all month for more information about heart disease, heart-healthy tips and heart-healthy recipes. Love yourself by loving your heart! Follow along to find out how easy it can be.

The signs of a heart attack include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, pressure or pain radiating to the arm, jaw or neck. But if you're a female, the symptoms may be different. Watch this humorous and informative video starring Elizabeth Banks to see what the symptoms of a heart attach might look like.

For more information, visit the American Heart Association's website at www.heart.org.