By Barbara Killmeyer

February is National Heart Health Month, and the best way for you to be a perfect Valentine for those who are dear to you is to take care of your heart.  Then you can be happy and healthy, which will in turn make your loved ones happy.

Heart disease continues to be America’s number one killer, of both men and women. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to ward off the risk of heart disease.

Take a good look at the food you put into your body daily. It’s too bad that so much of the food we consider to be delicious is also high in calories. Try to control the amount of fat in your diet so that no more than 30 percent of your caloric intake is made up of fat.

The same is true of cholesterol. Cholesterol should make up no more than 300 milligrams a day.

Watch out for that salt! High sodium can play havoc with your blood pressure. With a little practice you can recognize which menu selections are especially high in sodium. Processed or prepared foods are at the top of the avoidance list when you’re watching your salt intake. Other items to watch out for are those that are pickled, smoked, au jus or with soy sauce. Lean toward more fruits, vegetables and foods high in fiber.

Drink alcohol in moderation. Heavy alcohol use is a major factor in the increase of high blood pressure. Enjoy your drink or your wine with dinner, but limit yourself to a reasonable amount.

Since excess weight increases the possibility of heart disease, it is important to improve your weight through healthy diet and regular exercise.

Become a label reader. Once you get the hang of checking labels, you’ll be surprised at the amount of calories and sodium contained in the prepared food you purchase.

The older we get and the more sedentary our life style becomes, the more important it is to watch what we eat and to get as much exercise as possible.  One of the best exercises we can do is to walk regularly. The winter weather prevents us from enjoying an outdoor walk, but a mall is perfect. It’s weather controlled, has level surfaces so no uphill climbs, restrooms are available, and at the food court you can sip an after-walk coffee or tea while engaging in a session of “people watching.”

Taking care of your heart is the best gift you can give to your valentine and to yourself.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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