February is the Month of the Heart in more ways than one.

February is not just the month of love but also the month for raising awareness about heart health and the steps we can take to maintain a healthy heart.

Let’s first look at what the ? does and its importance: -

• The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout your body. It comprises four chambers, two upper (atria) and two lower (ventricles). Blood flows into the heart through veins and arteries.
• The heart beats about 100,000 times each day and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every 24 hours through millions of kilometres of blood vessels.
• Your blood vessels deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your body, including your brain. They also carry away waste products from your tissues and organs.

There are so many people that don’t know they have heart disease. And that's not surprising. Heart disease doesn't have the same symptoms as other diseases, and it's different for everyone. Some people don't even realise they have it until they have a heart attack or stroke!

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among South Africans aged 34 to 64. Factors leading to this include obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise and smoking. But one of the biggest causes is hypertension. It can also lead to other health problems such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.?

By making healthy lifestyle choices, we can reduce our risk of developing heart disease, improve overall heart health, and enjoy a long and active life.?

Here are a few ways to keep your ? in top shape: -

1. Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, most days of the week. This will help lower your risk of heart disease and improve your overall health.
2. Eat a healthy diet: A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and low in saturated and trans fats, can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
3. Quit smoking: Smoking is a leading cause of heart disease, and quitting can significantly lower your risk.
4. Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels: High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease, so it's important to have these checked regularly and work with your doctor to keep them at healthy levels.
5. Manage stress: Stress can take a toll on your heart, so it's important to find ways to manage it, whether through exercise, meditation, or other relaxation techniques.
6. Get enough sleep: Aim for 7 - 8 hours per night.
7. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake: Drinking alcohol in moderation and limiting caffeine intake, as too much of these can lead to increased heart rates and blood pressure.

In addition to making lifestyle changes, it is also important to be aware of the warning signs of heart disease.

Here is a list of signs you might have heart disease: -?

1.? You're tired after walking only a few blocks, or you feel like you can't get enough air?

into your lungs.

2. You get out of breath when you laugh, cough, or sneeze.

3. You feel like your heart is pounding in your chest while resting or sleeping.

4. You wake up during the night with an uncomfortable feeling in your chest, as if?

something is pressing down on it.

5. Your arms ache at night (this could mean blood clots are forming in your veins).

In order to keep your heart healthy, it's important to know what kind of risk factors you have so you can take steps to reduce them.?

You should also be aware that heart attacks don't always happen at night during sleep - they can happen during any activity! So if you feel chest pains or pressure while doing something physically strenuous, like running, stop what you're doing immediately and seek medical attention.?

Let’s work together this month to make positive changes to our lifestyles, and to celebrate a healthy heart. Take charge of your ?-health!?

#hearthealthy #hearthealthawareness #lifestylechanges #positivechanges