With February marking American Heart Month, this is a good opportunity to reflect on the importance of caring for our hearts.
Heart diseases and stroke remain among the leading causes of serious health challenges in the United States. Many of these outcomes are linked to everyday factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, physical activity, and smoking. Thus, taking care of our heart starts with simple every day healthy habits.
How Heart Function Impacts Your Health
Your heart is the engine that keeps your entire body running. It sends oxygen-rich blood to your lungs, brain, muscles, and organs. When your heart isn’t working as it should, it can affect everything from mobility to memory.
Recent health guidance highlights that conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol also increase the risk for cognitive changes and stroke because they affect blood flow to the brain.
Maintaining a healthy heart helps your entire body function better. This is especially important for older adults or those managing chronic conditions.
What You Can Do Today
There are practical and proven ways to strengthen your heart health. Research and public health programs emphasize a pattern of daily habits that help reduce the chances of heart attacks and strokes:
Keep Blood Pressure in Check
Consistently high blood pressure is one of the strongest contributors to heart attacks and stroke because it forces your heart to work harder and can damage blood vessels over time. Talking with a doctor about ways to monitor and control your blood pressure including at-home checks is an excellent first step.
Manage Cholesterol Effectively
Cholesterol naturally occurs in your body, but too much of the “bad” type can build up in arteries. Diet changes, regular activity, and medical guidance can help keep your cholesterol at healthier levels.
Avoid Tobacco and Limit Smoke Exposure
Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure raise heart rate and blood pressure, narrowing arteries and increasing risk for heart attack and stroke. If someone in your home uses tobacco, quitting now has benefits at any age.
Build Physical Activity into Your Routine
Simple movement matters. Activities like walking, light gardening, and gentle strength exercises help improve heart function, manage weight, and support emotional health. Even short bursts of activity throughout the day can make a difference over time.
Heart Health and Everyday Life
Working toward a healthier heart doesn’t require drastic lifestyle changes all at once. Adding more fruits and vegetables to meals, reducing sodium, and choosing whole grains are small steps that add up. Adults are encouraged to focus on consistent improvements rather than perfection.
Your heart supports every system in your body and prioritizing heart health has ripple effects. Better circulation supports stronger muscles, clearer thinking, and healthier energy levels are just some of the examples.
Supporting Others on Their Heart Health Journey
For individuals receiving caregiving or those providing care for a loved one, helping maintain heart-healthy habits can be part of daily life:
- Encourage regular checkups and screenings with a healthcare provider.
- Prepare meals rich in fiber and heart-friendly nutrients.
- Help keep medication on schedule and attend appointments when possible.
Small acts of support can help someone stay on track, feel encouraged, and stay connected to their health goals.
Heart health is a lifelong journey, and every positive choice makes a difference. Whether you’re caring for yourself or someone else, simple lifestyle habits today contribute to a stronger, healthier tomorrow.
Need support in taking care of yourself or your loved ones? Contact Homewatch CareGivers!
Homewatch Websites:
Boise: www.homewatchcaregivers.com/boise
Twin Falls: www.homewatchcaregivers.com/twinfalls
Nampa: www.homewatchcaregivers.com/nampa
Pocatello: www.homewatchcaregivers.com/pocatello
Homewatch Idaho Contact Number: 208-350-7269
We serve the following cities:
Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna, Mountain Home, Middleton, Parma, Homedale, Twin Falls, Jerome, Buhl, Kimberly, Filer, Wendell, Gooding, Pocatello, Burley, Chubbuck, American Falls, and Blackfoot.