February Newsletter

February is American Heart Month

1 in 3 people in the U.S. have some form of heart disease.

To protect you heart and prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke and heart attack:

• Make healthy choices such as avoiding tobacco use and reducing the amount of sodium and trans fat you eat.
• Get up and get active by being physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you're a smoker, quit as soon as possible, and if you don't smoke, don't start. You can also support smoke-free policies in your community and try to avoid secondhand smoke.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase blood pressure.
• Prevent or treat your medical conditions. Monitor blood pressure and cholestorol, manage diabetes, take all medications as prescribed and talk to your health care professional right away if you have sypmtoms or risk factors of heart disease or other conditions.
• Manage stress. If it seems more difficult or overwhelming to deal with the circumstances in your home, work, social or financial life talk to someone who can help. Henderson Consulting & EAP Services has eight therapists on staff who can teach you skills to decrease your stress and balance your life.