Take the first step to improve your heart health.

Cardiovascular Disease, as defined by the CDC, is a group of heart (cardio) and blood vessel (vascular) disorders that are the leading cause of death and disability — not only in the United States but globally.

The coronary arteries are the blood vessels in the heart, that provide blood, which is rich in oxygen, to the heart – allowing it to do the job of circulating the blood around the body. Oxygen is critical to the survival of the body’s cells.

Any sustained reduction in blood flow to an organ will damage that organ. When the reduction in flow is to the heart – this causes a “heart attack”. If the reduction is to the brain, it causes a stroke.

Certain chronic diseases, including hypertension and high cholesterol increase the likelihood of damaging your arteries. This, in turn, increases your risk of suffering a heart attack as well as stroke.

It’s possible to have a healthier and younger heart! Follow these tips to help you not only find your rhythm but stick with it to improve your overall heart health.

MOTIVATION

The most important first step is figuring out what’s driving you to have a healthier heart — finding what’s going to keep you motivated. And you might already know what that is, but if not, finding the motivation will be key to helping you stick with your journey.

Maybe it’s…
being around for your family for many years to come,
or feeling your best each day,
or perhaps setting an example for the people you love,
or it could be something totally different, but whatever it is, you need to find it.

SET A GOAL

There’s no such thing as a perfect goal, but you can make one that’s perfect for you.

Is it specific?
Focus on one way you can improve your heart health by choosing something seemingly “small” and super specific.

Is it realistic?
Hey, life happens. Build in space for all that life throws at you so you don’t get off track.

When will you reach it?
Set a date for when you’d like to meet your goal by. And then get ready to make another!

Here are a few examples of what that goal can look like:

• I’ll walk for 30 minutes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the next month.
• I’ll try 2 new healthy recipes for dinner next week.
• I’ll call to schedule a heart-health checkup by the end of the month.

STAY MOTIVATED:

Words have power, especially when we repeat them to ourselves to keep us focused. When we know a phrase by heart, we can pull it out as a powerful reminder whenever we need it. You won’t always feel pumped about reversing your heart age and you’ll have ups and downs.

Use one of these mantras when you need to dig deep to stay focused — or come up with your own.

• I am strong, I am powerful.
• This is tough but I’m tougher.
• I’m taking control of my heart, my way.

Put your mantra on your fridge, on your door, or put it in your phone as a daily reminder.

For more information and tips on how you can get heart healthy, head on over to livetothebeat.org