Affair of the heart for healthy heart moves

The occurrence of Valentine’s Day and heart health awareness in the same month is likely not a coincidence. Celebrating romance for centuries, Valentine’s Day falls on February 14, a date that is symbolized by Cupid aiming his arrow at the heart.

Back in December 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson took aim at heart health by issuing a proclamation that announced February 1964 as the first American Heart Month. Johnson was aware that diseases related to the heart were the number one health issue of the day.1 Sixty years later, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.

So while Valentine’s Day is a hearty symbol of romantic love, February is an awareness month that suggests giving your heart some tender loving care. This involves heartfelt steps that you can take to support this vital, life-giving organ.

Healthy Heart Moves

One of the healthiest moves you can make for your heart is to stay physically active. This action contributes to staying at a healthy body weight. Exercise also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which are indicators of heart health. Furthermore, being physically active on a regular basis is a great way to manage stress, another fundamental step for keeping your heart healthy.

Of all of the healthy heart moves you can make, wholesome nutritional intake is likely the most important. Supporting your cardiovascular system with the right kind of food fuels not only your heart but your entire body with compounds, nutrients and phytonutrients that keep you healthy.

A scientific example of how adhering to the above lifestyle changes support a healthy heart is the over 40 years of research conducted by the Preventive Medicine Research Institute. This non- profit organization was established by Dean Ornish, a cardiologist who advocates lifestyle medicine.

The institute's scientifically proven program combines four lifestyle elements—eat well, move more, stress less, love more—that produce a transformative effect on health. The lifestyle element involving to love more is not a Valentine's Day reference; it refers to the importance of giving and receiving emotional support to help unlock the healing power of community.

Adopting healthy lifestyle changes and sticking to them is something that anyone can do with a regular dose of diligence and discipline. Make some heart-healthy moves of your own.

From The AIM Companies Living Well Magazine, February 2024

Affair of the Heart

Healthy Heart Moves