When we think about heart health, we may picture doctors, medications, or major lifestyle changes. But protecting your heart often starts with something much simpler: the choices you make every day.
Your heart works around the clock, pumping blood and delivering oxygen throughout your body. The good news is that many everyday habits can help keep your heart strong and reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Eat for Your Heart
Nutrition plays an important role in heart health. You don’t have to completely change your diet overnight. Start with small, sustainable choices.
Choose more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit foods high in added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Staying hydrated and paying attention to portion sizes can also make a difference.Think of each meal as an opportunity to give your heart the fuel it needs.
Keep Moving
Your heart is a muscle, and regular physical activity helps keep it strong.
You don’t need an intense workout to benefit. Walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, biking, or simply taking the stairs can help. Find activities you enjoy and make movement part of your everyday routine. Even small amounts of activity are better than sitting all day.
Know Your Numbers
High blood pressure is often called a “silent” condition because you may not feel any different when it is elevated. That’s why knowing your blood pressure matters.
Regularly checking your blood pressure and talking with your healthcare professional about your numbers can help identify potential problems early. Know your cholesterol and blood sugar numbers, too, and understand what they mean for your personal health.
Don’t be a bystander when it comes to your own health. Know your numbers. Take action.
Manage Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but ongoing stress can make it harder to maintain healthy habits and may affect your overall well-being.
Make time to slow down. Take a walk, spend time with people you love, practice deep breathing, listen to music, enjoy the outdoors, or simply take a few quiet minutes for yourself.
Taking care of your peace is part of taking care of your heart.
Don’t Skip Preventive Screenings
Prevention means paying attention before there is a problem.
Regular healthcare visits and recommended screenings can help identify risk factors early. Depending on your age, family history, and individual risk factors, your healthcare professional may recommend monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, and other measures of heart health.
Be an Upstander for Your Heart and for Others
Heart health connects directly to the mission of the Feeney Legacy Project. Feeney’s story reminds us that when a medical emergency happens, doing nothing can have devastating consequences.
Your Heart Health Is Built One Choice at a Time
A healthier meal. A walk around the neighborhood. Checking your blood pressure. Managing stress. Getting preventive screenings. Learning Hands-Only CPR.
Small actions can make a big difference.
This Wellness Month, make a commitment to your own heart and to the people around you.
Don’t be a bystander. Be an Upstander. Take Action.
Take care of your heart. Know what to do when someone else’s heart needs help. And be someone’s second chance.
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