Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower your risk, here are some tips from the American Heart Association:
Walk it Out.
Walking at least 20 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. So choose the stairs, not the elevator. Park farther away from the store. Find little ways to step up your steps game.
Java Lovers Rejoice.
A little pick-me-up may bring down your risk of stroke. Just one cup of coffee a week can make a difference.
Squash High Cholesterol.
Adding a serving of acorn squash has nearly 10% of your daily value of fiber, which can reduce cholesterol.
Go Ahead Hit Snooze.
Why count calories when you can count sheep? 7-8 hours of sleep can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Hug It Out For Your Health.
Hugs bring people closer, but they can also bring down blood pressure levels in some women. Here’s the perfect reason to give a special lady in your life a hug. (Like you really needed an excuse.)
PHS takes the health and safety of our employees very seriously. We have partnered with our parent company, ECI, in accepting a “Get Active” challenge that started on January 28th and will continue through March. Teams of ten participants are competing directly against ECI’s leadership team and prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Join us in starting this New Year with a focus on staying active and making healthy choices! Here are a few additional tips:
- Watch your weight.
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get active and eat healthy.
For more information, visit the American Heart Association website.