Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States?
You have the power to take action to protect yourself against heart disease. Practicing self-care can keep your heart healthy.
Heart disease is largely preventable. To reduce your risk of heart disease:
n Don’t smoke. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can harm your heart and blood vessels in many ways.
n Eat for heart health. Eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit foods that are high in saturated fat and sodium, eat lean meats and poultry, and limit sugar and other sweeteners.
n Exercise. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days a week. You can increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels, lower many heart disease risk factors such as “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, and manage your high blood pressure by simply moving more.
n Know your numbers. Learn what a healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and blood sugar level is for you, and how they can impact your risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose.
Small heart-healthy actions can have a big impact on protecting your heart.
For more information on American Heart Month, go to nhlbi.nih.gov/education/heart-month/about.
— Benefits and Wellness,
Human Resources, 2-6-25
