As I read somewhere once, you can’t outrun a heart attack, so I’m taking a break from Training Tip Tuesday to bring attention to National Heart Month with a best of blog rerun…

American Heart Month

February is National Heart Month and during this month we’ll see advertisements on TV, in magazines, and online reminding us of the warning signs of a heart attack. While many symptoms are the same for both men and women, there are a few warning signs that are much more common for women than men. Your health, or that of a loved one, depends on you knowing these signs.

 

Warning Signs

American Heart Association’s warning signs of a heart attack:

For men…

  • • Chest pain or discomfort which can also feel like pressure or squeezing
  • • Chest pain that comes and goes
  • • Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw
  • • Shortness of breath
  • • Experiencing nausea or stomach pain
  • • Becoming lightheaded
  • • Becoming clammy or breaking out into a sweat

For women…

  • • Chest pain or discomfort which can also feel like pressure or squeezing
  • • Chest pain that comes and goes
  • • Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, or neck
  • • Jaw pain – more common for women
  • • Shortness of breath – more common for women
  • • Experiencing nausea and vomiting – more common for women
  • • Becoming lightheaded
  • • Becoming clammy or breaking out into a sweat

 

Addressing Heart Health

There are many different ways to take stock of your heart health:

  • • Know your family medical history
  • • Get a physical
  • • Start a regular exercise program
  • • Adopt a heart healthy diet (see Mayo Clinic suggestions below)
  • • If you smoke, quit
  • • Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels

 

Healthy Eating

Mayo Clinic‘s tips for eating a heart-healthy diet:

  • • Control portion size
  • • Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • • Eat whole grains
  • • Limit unhealthy fats
  • • Limit sodium intake
  • • Eat lean cuts of meat and fish
  • • Meal plan
  • • Limit treats, but enjoy occasionally

 

Celebrating Heart Health During February

Ways to celebrate National Heart Month:

  • • Participate in a virtual running or cycling event to support heart health
  • • Take a CPR certification course
  • Wear red on February 3rd to support women’s heart health
  • • Attend a virtual health and fitness expo or conference
  • • Organize an online heart health screening for your office
  • • Make a donation to a charitable organization researching cures for heart disease

 

As with so many other diseases, diet and exercise play a huge role in maintaining a healthy heart. February is the perfect time to focus on lifestyle changes that will keep your heart healthy. Do it for yourself and for the ones you love!

 

Questions:
  • • Do you have a healthy heart? ~ I hope so, but I do have a family history of heart disease.
  • • Are you CPR certified? ~ yes
  • • What is your favorite heart-healthy meal? ~ salmon and roasted asparagus

 

I’m linking up with Kim at Kookyrunner and Zenaida of Zenaida Arroya for their Tuesday topics Link-Up. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!