Ways to Celebrate American Heart Health Month

Let's welcome February with a big heart! Overall, its the American Heart Month—a time when all people can focus on their heart health.

February Is Heart Awareness Month

February is a special month for hearts. Aside from Valentine's Day, it's also a great chance to appreciate the incredible work our hearts do. It's the time to celebrate American Heart Month! During this time, we can focus on maintaining and promoting heart health. The American Heart Month campaign began in 1963 to educate Americans about preventing heart disease.

So, sit back and relax! Here, we'll provide seniors with heart-healthy ways to celebrate American Heart Month:

Take Part in an Organized Heart Health Walk

Since it's American Heart Month, seniors should make walking more engaging. Join the Heart Walk to find the motivation to get moving, meet other heart disease survivors, and do something good for your heart.

The Heart Walk is hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA). It's an event that raises funds to combat heart disease and stroke. Moreover, you can use the event as a springboard for setting up and hosting your walking club using resources provided by the AHA. The American Heart Association also recommends thirty minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day, such as walking.

A study found that walking at least 8000 steps a day had half the risk of dying for any reason over the course of 10 years as compared to those who only walked half as much.  Walking can provide significant benefits such as:

• Weight loss 
• Muscle growth
• Reduces inflammation 
• Lowers mental stress.

Every day, our hearts keep us moving. So, seniors should take time to walk for their heart health at any time of day.

Schedule a Heart-Health Screening

Preventive healthcare for seniors includes heart health screenings. You need these screenings to know how your heart is currently doing. At Ocana Medical, we can track your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. If your screening tests show signs of heart disease or a high risk of heart disease, we may order additional tests. We can also plan for follow-up visits with specialists as part of your wellness plan.

Encourage your friends and family to book an appointment, too! We will gladly share heart health advice and ideas tailored to your specific needs in the celebration of American Heart Month.

Encourage a Heart-Healthy Diet

Social media is, in fact, a powerful tool. We can use it to spread healthy eating for heart health. Send your senior groups information about foods with:

• High in fiber
• Low in cholesterol
• No fat
• Green and leafy vegetable
• Fruits such as avocados, apples, and blueberries
• Less sodium

You can promote weight loss and reduce heart disease risk in others with these. 

Organize a Food Party With Heart-Healthy Recipes

The American Heart Month promotes food parties with heart-healthy recipes! Seniors and their family members should get together and share heart-healthy recipes. These include:

• Stir-fried ginger beef with peppers
• Beef & barley soup
• Salmon cucumber bites
• Spaghetti with sardines and cherry tomatoes
• Roast chicken with garlic potatoes & glazed carrots.

Doing this can promote heart health awareness among your friends and family and help you learn some tasty recipes. Together, you can set health goals and promise to keep each other accountable.

Ask your dietician if you feel stressed about food preparation. They will assess your current diet and recommend heart-healthy food and supplements. With Ocana Medical, you'll learn what heart-healthy foods to eat and what to avoid based on your test results. We also help you achieve a healthier heart as you age.

Host a No-Smoking Day

Smoking increases your risk of developing heart disease. This February, you should remind people that smoking is dangerous to the heart. Consider holding a "Quit Smoking Day" for your senior neighbors. Although it might only last one day, they may continue it if someone is willing to try. 

In addition, you can also put a whiteboard outside where people can write their names or those who wish to stop smoking. People with common goals will come together, and accountability partnerships will form. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of disease and death from cardiovascular disease. To those seniors who smoke, you should give up the habit as soon as possible. 

The Importance of American Heart Month for Seniors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of all races in the United States. Seniors are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems. Fortunately, heart disease is often preventable.

That's why February is a good time for you to learn how to keep your heart healthy. You can still live a long and healthy life even if you have heart disease.



So, every day, it's up to you to make heart-healthy choices. Get your heart health back on track in February with these activities!

Summary

Our providers at Ocana Medical are trained to provide exceptional, compassionate care to seniors with a range of conditions. Let us be your healthcare provider for life and earn your trust.

Ocana Medical Care, located in Tampa, FL, aims to bring you as much information as possible to keep you healthy. We're in this together. #ocanacares