Wear Red for Heart Health: Simple Steps to Protect Your Heart

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death for both men and women, making heart health an important priority throughout the year. While many people associate heart disease primarily with men, cardiovascular disease affects millions of women as well, and many risk factors are preventable through education, healthy lifestyle choices, and early intervention.

Taking care of your heart starts with understanding your risk and making small, consistent changes that support lifelong cardiovascular wellness.

Know Your Heart Health Risk

Several factors can increase your risk of developing heart disease, including:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes or elevated blood sugar
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Chronic stress
• Family history of heart disease
• Poor nutrition

While some risk factors cannot be changed, many can be improved through healthy lifestyle habits and regular medical care.

Know Your Numbers

One of the simplest ways to protect your heart is by understanding the numbers that help measure cardiovascular health.

Work with your healthcare provider to monitor:

• Blood pressure
• Total cholesterol
• HDL and LDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Blood glucose or A1C
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Waist circumference, when appropriate

Regular screenings help identify potential concerns before symptoms develop.

Build Heart-Healthy Habits

Daily choices have a significant impact on long-term heart health.

Simple habits that support cardiovascular wellness include:

• Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
• Staying physically active throughout the week.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Prioritizing quality sleep.
• Managing stress through mindfulness, exercise, or relaxation techniques.
• Avoiding tobacco products.
• Limiting highly processed foods and excess added sugars.

Small improvements made consistently often have the greatest long-term impact.

Learn the Signs of Stroke: Remember FAST

Quick action can save a life during a stroke. Remember the acronym FAST to recognize the warning signs.

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech: Is speech slurred, difficult to understand, or unusual?

T – Time: If you notice any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Receiving treatment quickly can significantly improve outcomes.

Nutrition and Heart Health

A heart-healthy eating pattern emphasizes:

• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Fiber-rich foods
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil

Limiting excess sodium, saturated fat, added sugars, and heavily processed foods may also support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Make Heart Health a Daily Priority

Protecting your heart is not about making one perfect decision. It is about making healthier choices consistently over time.

Whether that means taking a daily walk, choosing more nutritious meals, improving sleep, or working with your healthcare provider to monitor important health markers, every positive step contributes to long-term cardiovascular wellness.

Your heart works hard for you every day. Taking care of it is one of the most important investments you can make in your future health.