February Is American Heart Month

Celebrate American Heart Month: Join CHC in the #OurHearts Movement

February is American Heart Month!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in five deaths is due to heart disease, even though the disease is largely preventable.

Did you know that people with close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we work on them with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others.

Here are some facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others, even if you can’t be physically together, to improve your heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Most middle-aged and young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.

Why Connecting is Good for Your Heart

Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship.

Follow these heart-healthy lifestyle tips to protect your heart. It will be easier and more successful if you work on them with others, including by texting or phone calls if needed.

- - Be more physically active.
  - Maintain a healthy weight.
  - Eat a nutritious diet.
  - Quit smoking.
  - Reduce stress.
  - Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep.
  - Track your heart health stats.

You don’t have to make big changes all at once. Small steps will get you where you want to go.

Move More

Invite family, friends, colleagues, or members of your community to join you in your efforts to be more physically active:

- - Ask a colleague to walk “with you” regularly, put the date on both your calendars and text or call to make sure you both get out for a walk.
  - Get a friend or family member to sign up for the same online exercise class, such as a dance class. Make it a regular date!
  - Grab your kids, put on music, and do jumping jacks, skip rope, or dance in your living room or yard.

Get Your Heart-Health Checked

Scheduling an appointment with your CHC care team is now easier than you might think. Short on time? There’s no need to wait on the phone – you can text for an appointment, click/tap the red web chat bar below, or use your Patient Portal. Of course, you can still call us at 1-866-614-4636.
Learn about all the ways you can get your appointment here.