This month, Gutter Helmet® – America’s #1 choice for gutter protection – is showing our support of American Heart Month and the fight against heart disease with helpful tips and encouragement to find out more about this preventable disease. Heart disease is far too common; every year in the United States, more men and women die of this disease than any other. In fact, one in four deaths can be linked to heart disease.
The good news is that healthy eating and lifestyle choices can often prevent heart disease. Here are some steps you can take to improve your health and the health of those you care about.
- Know your heart score. When you understand your risk for heart disease, you can make a plan to reduce that risk. Risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight and physical inactivity. To get your personal assessment online, visit the American Heart Association.
- Choose to eat well. Foods low in saturated and trans fat, sodium, cholesterol and excess sugar can decrease your risk of heart disease. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.
- Watch your weight. Especially after age 40, you can curb weight gain by following a healthy eating plan and staying active. Find a buddy to help you get moving, or search out a walking path in your area at StartWalkingNow.org.
- Don’t smoke and limit alcohol use. Smoking greatly increases your heart disease risk. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Excessive alcohol use can raise blood pressure and damage the heart, so limit consumption to one drink per day for women or two for men.
Join Gutter Helmet® on social media every Wednesday this month, when we’ll give you a tip on how to “go red” to fight heart disease!
