February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart health and to encourage individuals to make positive lifestyle changes to protect their heart health. At Saltzer Health, we believe in the importance of heart health and are committed to helping our community improve their heart health through education, prevention, and care.

As a cardiologist, Dr. Jennifer Anderson, MD at Saltzer Health, emphasizes the significance of heart health, “Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for overall wellness and longevity. Simple lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress, can have a significant impact on heart health.”

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting millions of individuals every year. However, by making small changes to our lifestyle, we can significantly reduce our risk of developing heart disease and improve our heart health.

Understanding Heart Disease Risk Factors

One of the first steps to improving heart health is to understand the risk factors for heart disease. Some of the most common risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and a family history of heart disease.

Dr. Anderson shares, “It’s important for individuals to understand their personal risk factors for heart disease and to work with their healthcare provider to develop a plan for reducing those risks. Regular check-ups, monitoring vital signs, and taking medications as prescribed are all important steps for reducing the risk of heart disease.”

Making Lifestyle Changes for Heart Health

Making positive lifestyle changes is key to improving heart health. Here are some simple steps that can have a big impact:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and low in saturated and trans fats can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Exercising regularly: Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, can help lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Managing stress: Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease, so it’s important to find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
• Quitting smoking: Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease, so quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart health.

Working with a Healthcare Provider

Working with a healthcare provider is important for monitoring heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease. Regular check-ups, monitoring vital signs, and taking medications as prescribed are all important steps for reducing the risk of heart disease.

Dr. Anderson emphasizes the importance of working with a healthcare provider, “It’s important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized plan for improving heart health. This may include regular check-ups, monitoring vital signs, and taking medications as prescribed. Your healthcare provider can also provide guidance and support as you make positive lifestyle changes to improve your heart health.”

Supporting American Heart Month

American Heart Month is a time to raise awareness about heart health and to encourage individuals to make positive lifestyle changes to protect their heart health. At Saltzer Health, we are committed to helping our community improve their heart health through education, prevention, and care.

Join us in supporting American Heart Month by making positive lifestyle changes to improve your heart health, working with a healthcare provider to monitor heart health, and spreading awareness about the importance of heart health to your friends and family.

At Intermountain Health, our heart experts are dedicated to people loving their hearts. Intermountain Health has launched an Instagram page (@IntermountainHeartHealth) where we will be sharing tips and information to help you live the healthiest life possible. Check it out and use these tips to make a positive impact on your heart health.