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A Healthy Heart This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is coming up — a holiday that’s all about heart. So what better occasion to think about ways to keep your heart healthy? Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. But the good news is that even small changes in diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your overall quality of life. Here’s how:

• Get moving: physical activity makes your heart stronger.
• Halt the salt: compare labels and choose less sodium in the foods you and your family eat.
• Eat lean and green: Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins (fish, chicken, turkey) and low-fat dairy, and limit the red meat and butter.
• Get your blood pressure checked and follow your doctor’s treatment plan if you have high blood pressure.
• Drink in moderation. Alcohol can raise your risk for high blood pressure. Women should have no more than one drink per day, and men should have no more than two drinks per day.
• Quit smoking.

For more tips on eating better and moving more for a healthy heart, visit Mass in Motion.