Many of us have seen those commercials that ask, “How’s your heart?” These commercials are the ones that ask the passerby on the street if they know whether their heart is healthy.

We can begin to take steps toward heart health by following some simple guidelines from the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association has provided information, guidelines, teaching, and support to thousands of Americans about prevention and treatment of heart disease for over 100 years.

Facts About the Heart

Here are some fascinating facts you may not know about your heart:

• Our hearts beat on average 100,000 times per day. During an average lifetime, that is over 2.6 billion times
• Your heart pumps about 1 ½ gallons of blood every minute
• The heart pumps about 4 tablespoons of blood with each beat
• The beating sound comes from the heart valves opening and closing

• Your left lung is slightly smaller than your right lung. This small space provides extra room for your heart.

• Your ribs offer extra protection for your heart
• Runners have a lower risk of heart disease
• Heart disease is the biggest threat to your health and a leading cause of death

How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

What can we do to help protect our heart and reduce our risk of heart disease? Follow these simple and healthy habits recommended by the American Heart Association can have a great impact on our heart health and our daily lives:

Enjoy eating nutritious foods. Your diet should include whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and cooking in non-tropical oils such as olive and canola.

Get active. Strive to meet the goal of 2 ½ hours physical activity each week. Consider walking. It’s a great moderate level activity. Encourage your children to get out and play for exercise. Kids should have at least an hour of play each day.

Watch your blood sugar. Most of what we eat is turned into glucose, commonly known as blood sugar, that your body uses for energy. When blood sugar levels are uncontrolled, it can lead to damage of your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves over time.

Manage your weight. When you eat better and watch your blood sugar, you develop a healthy diet. Couple that with your active lifestyle and you’ve got the makings of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Control your cholesterol. Cholesterol comes from food and is also made in your body. It can affect your heart and brain health. By managing your diet, you can manage your cholesterol.

Manage your blood pressure. Want to stay healthier longer? Keep your blood pressure within acceptable ranges. Blood pressure levels less than 120/80 are optimal. Known as the “Silent Killer,” high blood pressure can affect heart and brain health with no symptoms.

Quit using tobacco and tobacco products. Smoking makes your heart work harder to get blood to vital organs and throughout your body. Try to quit smoking.

Get enough sleep. Get into the routine of going to bed timely for a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown that too little or too much sleep is associated with heart disease. These same studies suggest that 7-9 hours of rest is vital to cardiovascular health, so grab your pillow and get some sleep.

Continue Healthy Heart Habits

These tried-and-true heart healthy habits can help you take steps to improve your overall heart health and wellbeing. Simple acts like watching your weight, eating a healthy diet, and being active all play a part in your overall health and can have a lasting impact on your quality of life.

Celebrate American Heart Month by putting learning into action. Want to know more about heart health? Visit the American Heart Association website and ask your healthcare provider for additional tips and resources for heart health.