8 Things You Can Do Now To Improve The Health Of Your Heart

I'll never forget the day when I was racing against time.  I got a phone call from my mom, and she said, "Dad had a heart attack, and it isn't looking good".  He was about 3 hours away at a hospital in an intensive care unit, and I jumped in my car and started driving.  My goal was to see him before he was taken by ambulance to Des Moines, where he would undergo surgery.  My window was too small to see him before he left but it was possible...but that quickly closed.  As I was getting onto I-35, he was life-flighted to Des Moines, Iowa.

I have heard multiple doctors tell my dad that he was lucky.  Unfortunately, that wasn't the only time I had some white-knuckle driving down I-35 to rush to be by his side.  My dad had many heart attacks, surgeries, and for the last 10 years of his life, lived with a defibrillator implant in his chest.

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About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack.  For women specifically, heart disease kills more women annually than all cancers combined.

Every year, the American Heart Association picks the month of February as a time to focus on heart health to help bring awareness to cardiovascular health.  Below are a few easy ways to put your heart health first.

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8 Easy Things You Can Do Today To Improve The Health Of Your Heart

One of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure.  According to the CDC, about half of U.S. adults are living with that.  Here are a few tips to help put your heart first:

Know Your Numbers - when was the last time you checked your blood pressure?  It takes about 5 minutes and is important to know.  Learn more about the importance of knowing your blood pressure numbers here.

Exercise - turn up your favorite song and dance for just 10 minutes today.  Getting your body moving is the goal.  If you don't like to dance, pick something else and make it a habit.  Find additional tips about how to get additional exercise here.

Swap Your Drink - swap out one sugary drink today for a glass of water.  It is a small change but can have a big impact.

Take The Stairs Challenge - free cardio awaits you at that staircase.  Take that today instead of the elevator.

The Stress Check - take one deep breath right now.  In...and out.  Lowering your stress helps lower your risk.

Good Sleep Reminder - aim for about 7 to 9 hours of sleep.  Your heart repairs while you rest, so make sure you prioritize it.  Here are a few more details to know about the importance of sleep.

Family Chat - heart disease can run in families.  Ask your family members about their medical history.  A simple conversation could help you be more aware and could save your life.

Laugh - this boosts circulation and lowers stress.