Do Your Part to Take Care of Your Heart ❤️
February 9, 2022
With February marking American Heart Month, it's a good time to ask whether you are giving your heart all the love it deserves. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC. But like many illnesses, heart disease comes from a mix of your genes and your environment or behavior. In other words, there are active measures you can take to keep your ticker performing well:
Eat well - and say no to seconds. Staying at a healthy weight for you is key. You can do that by reducing calories, moving more and eating a balanced diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and grains, and it offers delicious, easy recipes.
Go tobacco free. There's no such thing as a safe tobacco product, says the AHA. So, don't swap vaping for smoking. Instead, get your team - including your family, friends and doctor to help you stop.
Keep active. One of the best ways to prevent heart disease and other illnesses is to keep moving. The AHA recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. Here's where SEPTA comes in: Studies show individuals who use public transportation get an average of 19 minutes of physical activity per day and get over three times the amount of physical activity per day of those who don’t. And public transportation users take 30% more steps per day than people who rely on cars. In fact - train commuters are 4 times more likely to achieve 10,000 daily steps than car commuters!
Love more. When it comes to matters of the heart, Valentine's Day is good for your health. Numerous studies have found that love, in all of its forms, is linked to better health outcomes, according to the National Institutes for Health. Close relationships can even reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Keep it here for more helpful tips from SEPTA Medical Director Dr. E [aka Dr. Jeffrey Erinoff]!!
