A Healthy Heart

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt comments. I loved learning about your sweet memories. Love, memories, and lessons of the heart never leave us. That is the precious gift the heart gives us. 

In order to hold the memories we treasure in our hearts, we must take good care of them both physically and emotionally. Our hearts give us life, literally and figuratively. The definition of HEART is:

1. a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation.
2. the central or innermost part of something; the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions, especially love, compassion, or loyalty.

February is American Heart Month when we focus more on physically caring for our hearts. I learned after I posted last week’s blog that last Friday was National Wear Red Day. I was already wearing red without even knowing it! The purpose of this day was for women to wear red in order to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease. Of course, we can wear red any day as a good reminder.

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States? According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 female deaths are linked to heart disease, and women experience heart issues at much younger ages, between 35 and 54 years old. I think the pace and stress of our lives and the burdens that women in particular carry contribute to this. A recent study by the New York Times found that women, moms especially, have been most impacted by the pandemic as they strive to juggle work, homeschooling children and domestic duties.

My mom, whose larger-than-life heart I spoke about last week, actually died of heart disease at the age of 88. She was born with a hole in her heart and other heart-related issues that started to significantly impact her life when she turned 80. She was no longer able to wash and wax her car (one of her favorite chores!) without strained breathing. That’s how she knew something was wrong with her heart.

Because of my mom’s condition, I’m at a higher risk of heart disease. These are some of the tips that I try to follow for a healthy heart:

• Exercise for 30 mins. a day (Don’t have time for 30-min. workout? Break it down to 10 mins., 3Xs a day)
• Eat healthier with fiber-rich foods and by adding more fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks
• Reduce salt and sugar intake
• Drink water
• Control cholesterol
• Lose excess weight
• Relieve stress with simple breathing exercises 
• Rest
• Know your family health history
• Get regular check-ups with your doctor
• Be heart healthy for yourself and your loved ones!

Of course, I’m not a doctor and not providing medical advice, so be sure to speak to your physician about what’s best for you. And if you want to learn more about caring for your heart, or donate to heart research, check out the American Heart Association. 

What are some of the ways you keep your heart healthy? Please share in the comments below.