That’s Life: February is Heart Month

February is well known for honoring sweethearts and presidents. It is also designated as American Heart Month, a good time to reflect on the healthiness of all our hearts, emotionally and physically.
In celebration of American Heart Month, Marion Regional Healthcare System will have blood pressure screenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. throughout February. The screenings are free and open to anyone and are conducted in A Woman’s Place.

Go in the front door of the hospital and the receptionist will gladly you point you in the right direction.

The café will also be serving heart healthy meals and those who have a screening will receive a coupon for a discounted meal. For information call the education department at (843) 431-2080.
According to the weekly Vital Stats column provided by MRHS, cardiovascular diseases (including stroke) are the number one killer of men and women in the United States, affecting more than 24 million Americans each year and killing more than 650,000, and we all know the statistics regarding the Pee Dee region and how we are number one in heart disease.

Sponsored by the American Heart Association, February is intended to remind us to lead healthier, more “heart-conscious” lives.

Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity all increase our risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. A healthy diet combined with exercise and a few simple lifestyle changes are the best weapons in your defense to help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Michael O. Kamanda, from MRHS, said in the column.

Start eating healthier. Cut out fats, calories and junk foods. These foods clog your arteries and eating them put you at higher risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, he said.

Also, stop eating out or at least cut down on how much you do. It may not seem like much, but the little things really do matter. If eating out is unavoidable, choose heart healthy items from the menu.

Exercise more. People who do not exercise are twice as likely to have a heart attack.

Doing something as simple as walking, biking, dancing or yoga just three times a week for about 30 minutes each day will your lower your chances of developing a cardiovascular disease.

And that’s the best message for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day: Make this month the month you begin doing whatever it takes to healthy. After all, if you have your health, you are blessed.