February is here already and 2020 seems to be flying by! We all have busy schedules and between family, friends, work, and school, it can be hard to find time to make health conscious decisions. February is American Heart Month and we're here to provide some useful tips and tricks this month to keep you and your family heart-healthy!
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. In Florida alone, there are over 1,441,000 cases of heart disease. About 90% of middle-aged people and more than 74% of young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, or being overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.
Get started by following these heart healthy lifestyle tips:
Be more physically active.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a nutritious diet.
Quit smoking.
Reduce your stress.
Get enough quality sleep.
Track your heart health stats.
Encourage your friends and neighbors to join. Great things happen when a community comes together.
Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship.
One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we join forces with others.
Here in Lake Nona, we have the opportunity to get involved in our community and make choices that can positively impact our health and the wellness of future generations. Another way you can participate in American Heart Month is by taking the Life Project survey! The Lake Nona Life Project survey is open, and it is designed with your overall health and well-being in mind.
If we come together as a community, we can help to combat heart disease!
You might be asking, "How can a survey help me live a healthier life?" Our research partner, AdventHealth, may send individual and / or community wide tips that could help you make positive changes as they detect trends in various lifestyle categories.
Your input will help make history. Will you join us?