This Valentine's Day, don't just remember your sweetheart--also remember your actual heart. February marks the 50th anniversary of American Heart Month. And organizations are stepping up to bring awareness to heart disease, the number one killer in Americans.
On Thursday, women in Brighton dressed in red at the Oak Pointe Country Club for an event to raise awareness about women's heart health, according to WHMI.com. The gathering included exercise sessions in addition to talks about exactly what meals are heart healthy.
So what foods can help your heart? That's a good question. The American Heart Association recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and whole grains. For heart-healthy fats, include fish, nuts and seeds. In fact, The Huffington Post recently wrote an article about some simple steps you can take to attain a healthier heart; choose oatmeal instead of cream of wheat, snack on walnuts instead of chips, choose olive oil instead of butter and drink a glass of red wine instead of soda.
That's not all you can do to help your heart. Making sure to consume enough fiber is crucial. In fact, studies have found that people simply don't get enough fiber in their diets; women should have 25 grams of fiber per day while men should have about 38 grams, according to USA Today. Reducing sodium intake can also help and avoiding partially hydrogenated oils can help keep arteries from clogging.
A change in lifestyle can also help. Make sure to get at least 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity exercise and get enough sleep at night, according to CNN. Regular checkups can also catch problems before they actually become problems.
This Valentine's Day, remember your heart; it's a part of you that deserves your attention. Eat right, exercise and make sure to keep healthy.