Keep your heart healthy – your sweetie will love you for it

In the spirit of Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, here are some important heart health tips for you and your families.

This Valentine’s Day make a date to do something healthy for your heart. Why not try joining your loved one at an exercise class, check your blood pressures and cholesterol levels and finish the day with a romantic, but healthy meal, low in carbohydrates.

When a sedentary person becomes physically active, heart attack risk can be reduced by 35% to 55%. Five million Canadian adults—22% of the population—have high blood pressure. Of those who have high blood pressure, 42% are unaware of their condition. Risk factors for heart attacks include stress, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity.

To be as healthy as possible for next Valentine’s Day, Dr. Teddi Orenstein Lyall, a Richmond Hospital cardiologist suggests:

Exercise – stay fit with 30 minutes of brisk aerobic exercise into each day. This can be a walk, bike, swim, an aerobics or dance class. Consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

Reduce stress - Find a peaceful balance between work, family, community, exercise, passion and love. Discuss your biggest stress with a doctor and plan on how to manage it.

Check your blood pressure – Know what your target blood pressure numbers should be and get your blood pressure checked yearly even if it is normal.

High Cholesterol – Know your good cholesterol (HDL) and your bad cholesterol (LDL) numbers. Limit fatty red meats, eggs, and greasy fried foods.

Diabetes - Learn how to read carbohydrate quantities on all packaged foods. If you have diabetes, your A1C blood test should be less then 7 per cent Check your A1C every three months.

Obesity - Try to eat fewer carbohydrates by halving your rice, bread or pasta intake and avoid sweet juices, pop and junk food.