The Fidelis Care Blog

February is American Heart Month

2/12/2025 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Health and Wellness, Heart Health

Practice Heart Healthy Habits

Did you know that about 80% of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, can be prevented? It is important to take care of your heart health by having positive lifestyle habits and working with your healthcare provider.

Understanding Your Risk

Old and young people need to keep their heart healthy. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and seeing your healthcare provider can help you keep your heart healthy. It is important to take care of your heart health by having positive lifestyle habits and working with your healthcare provider.

A family history of heart disease may increase your risk. But most heart disease develops over time due to poor habits such as smoking or eating an unhealthy diet. Having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes also increases your risk of heart disease. Talk with your provider about ways to prevent or manage diabetes and control other risk factors.

Here are several risk factors for heart disease and how to lower your risk:

Blood pressure - High blood pressure strains your heart, blood vessels, and body organs. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and make sure it is normal.
Cholesterol - High cholesterol levels in the body help to form plaque which clogs your blood vessels and leads to heart disease. Make sure your cholesterol levels are normal.
Blood sugar - High blood sugar levels cause damage to your body and heart. Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. The risk of death from heart disease for adults with diabetes is higher than for adults who do not have diabetes. Make sure your blood sugar levels are normal.
Weight - Extra body weight places a burden on your heart and body. Losing extra weight can also help to control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Smoking - Using tobacco significantly increases the risk of developing heart disease. Do not smoke. Quitting smoking can help to lower your risk of heart disease.
Diet - Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and high fiber whole grains. A healthy diet should also be low in saturated and trans fats, and low in salt and added sugars.
Activity - Keep active and get the recommended amount of exercise, at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Always talk to your provider before starting a diet or exercise plan.
Stress - Chronic stress can have harmful effects on your overall health and well-being. Try to identify, reduce, and manage sources of stress in your life. Activities like exercise, getting enough sleep, enjoyable hobbies, relaxation techniques, meditation, mindfulness, and spending time with loved ones can help.