Our hearts are healthier together
Each February is American Heart Month, an observance to raise awareness about heart health and encourage Americans to reduce their risk for developing heart disease. Taking care of your heart health is vitally important. There’s a lot you can do to prevent heart disease. Check out these ideas to honor American Heart Month:
Set up a support group with friends near and far to encourage each other in your goals to manage your weight, eat healthier, quit smoking or exercise.
Commit to a walking schedule with a friend or family member, even if you can’t walk together.
Try a new recipe weekly. Ask friends and family to share their favorite heart-healthy recipe with you. NHLBI offers a variety of recipes on its website at HealthyEating.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Make television watching more active by walking in place during the commercials. Just standing up and stretching periodically during seated activities, such as reading or computer work, will
add activity to your day.
Sign a social support contract with three family members or friends who also want to lose weight.
Blog about it. Write a social media post or journal entry about Heart Month, the risk factors for heart disease, and how you’re making heart-healthy changes in your life.
Attend a cooking class – online or in-person – to learn new heart-healthy recipes.
Plan a healthy date. Go for a walk or cook a heart-healthy meal with your significant other for Valentine’s Day.
For more heart health information and tips, go to nhlbi.nih.gov/heartmonth
