February is a time for love and there is no better way to celebrate than to love your heart! February is American Heart Month and a time to make sure that you are making heart-healthy choices. Each year, heart disease is responsible for the death of an estimated 630,000 Americans but did you know 80% of this is preventable according to the American Heart Association? By making small changes, you can have BIG benefits.

• Get moving at least 30 minutes each day. Join a walking group or sign up for a 5K fun run. Don’t forget your children and pets because their heart health is important too…and they make great exercise partners.
• Eat more at home. It reduces the sodium in your food, and preparing a healthy, home cooked meal at home can be a family affair. Try something new you have never had before. Research how to prepare it. The internet has a vast selection of different types of healthy recipes for anything you can find.
• Know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart related illnesses and be prepared to act if trouble strikes. Check with your local training center for the American Heart Association for a full list of classes on CPR and First Aid.

Don’t forget to wear red on February 5, 2016 for the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day for their Go Red for Women Campaign. This event highlights the special needs that women have when it comes to recognizing heart disease and how to prevent it. Heart disease isn’t just for men. According to the AHA, 1 in 3 women will suffer from heart disease, often with different symptoms than men. Want to know more? Visit the AHA website at www.americanheart.org for things that you can do to make a big difference in your health.