Dr. Morice is a tubal reversal surgeon and provides excellent OB-GYN care to his patients in Morgan City, Louisiana. One area he especially cares about is his patients’ heart health. February is Heart Disease Awareness Month. Did you know that heart disease is the leading killer in America?
Last week, we covered the definition and causes of heart disease. Today we are focusing on the steps you can take to avoid it.
Move: The best thing you can do to avoid heart disease is move. Get moving for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, no excuses. Walk around the mall if it’s too cold or hot outside. Rake the leaves in the yard. Schedule a daily walk with your neighbor. Engaging in cardiovascular activity helps strengthen your heart and prevent heart disease.
Quit Smoking: You’ve heard it before. Smoking increases one’s risk of so many diseases, so why continue? Quit smoking today and your heart will be better for it. Talk to Dr. Morice if you are having problems quitting. Get Screened: Talk to Dr. Morice or your primary care doctor about your annual heart screening. They will check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood triglycerides. This will help reveal any signs of heart disease, and help you take the necessary action before it’s too late.
Take Your Medicine: If you have diabetes, it’s important to monitor it. If you are prescribed high blood pressure medicine, take it. Your doctor is helping keep your heart healthy. Skipping medication is very dangerous and can cost you your life.
Keep A Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is a great way to keep your heart healthy. Extra weight causes the heart to have to work harder, leading to problems. Stay lean and strong by exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Your heart will thank you.
Eat A Healthy Diet: A healthy, balanced diet is key to a healthy heart. Focus on getting 5-10 servings per day of fruits and vegetables. Try to avoid saturated and trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease. Sources of these fats include red meat, full-fat dairy, packaged desserts, and even crackers. Check the nutrition labels of your foods to avoid trans fats altogether. Opt for lean meat, fish, and fat-free dairy in place of red meat, butter, and cheese. Try to replace saturated and trans fats with healthier fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats also help increase your good cholesterol, and are found in non-animal products, such as nuts, avocados, and olive oil.
Limit Alcohol Intake: Alcohol can be beneficial to your heart, but only in moderation. Limit your intake to 1 drink per day if you’re a woman, 2 drinks per day if you’re a men. Men over 65 years of age are advised to limit their intake to 1 drink per day. All of these are important ways you can avoid the number one killer of Americans. If you have any ways that you’ve fit exercise or healthy eating into your life, please share them with us in the comment box below!
Interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Morice? Considering a tubal ligation reversal? Call us at (985) 702-BABY or email us at drmorice@mybabydoc.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
