February is American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health. Small acts of self-care, like taking walks, getting quality sleep and cooking healthy meals, can help your heart.
Jolynn Sprung, a cardiac nurse at Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls, tells Radio on the Go News what kind of foods are good for the heart.
"Good foods are vegetables, leafy greens, broccoli, carrots. Some (good) fruits are apples, bananas, oranges. Fat-free, low fat dairy, like your milk, cheese and yogurt. Protein rich foods like fish, lean meats, eggs, avocados, whole grains, walnuts and olive oil are very good."
Sprung says processed foods, foods and beverages with added sugar and foods high in sodium can increase the risk of heart disease. Sprung says it’s also important to visit your doctor for regular check ups.
"Screenings are very important. They give you the best chance of receiving the right treatment, quickly, and they can detect any underlying medical conditions possibly before you would have a heart attack."
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing one in four deaths each year.
