February - Heart Month

Heart Health Month


February’s focus is heart health.A strong, healthy heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the entire body and is essential to good health. That’s why we’re happy to share several ways you can live better and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Know your cholesterol.Many Americans have high cholesterol, and, because it can increase your risk for heart disease, it’s important to know if you do too. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone over age 20 have a fasting cholesterol blood test every five years. A few Florida and South Carolina Publix pharmacies offer screening at a reasonable fee. Click here to see if there’s a location near you, and then make an appointment with the pharmacist.

Eat a nutritious diet.Even if your cholesterol checks out normal, it’s still a good idea to strive for a heart-healthy diet. Diets high in cholesterol have been shown to increase your risk for developing coronary artery disease. Only consume enough calories to reach or maintain a healthy weight, and include plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains while minimizing fats, salts, and cholesterol. The FDA recommends this nutritional daily content:
Saturated fat: Limit to 8–10% of daily calories
Fat: 30% or less of daily calories
Cholesterol: Less than 300 mg daily
Sodium: Less than 2300 mg daily (High salt diets can increase blood pressure, and, in turn, raise your risk for heart disease.)


Shop smart.In order to eat well, you have to shop smart. Check out these two tools—they’ll make it easier to find foods right for you.

Nutrition shelf tags (located next to or below a variety of products’ prices).
Our registered dietitian created these red-and-green tags using FDA and USDA labeling criteria and dietary guidelines. Whether you’re concerned about cholesterol, fat, sodium, or more, they take the guesswork out of reading food labels. When you spot one, you’ll know, at a glance, if a food meets your particular dietary needs. Learn more here or pick up a brochure at your neighborhood Publix.
http://www.publix.com/
Or go to any store in your area of town they are willing to help to get you on the right and or should I say Heart Healthy track!




Shopping lists dedicated to specific dietary concerns.These “Right Foods for You” shopping lists will help you make more conscious food choices—without doing any research of your own. List types include low in fat, low sodium, 100 calories or less, gluten-free, and more. Go to http://www.publix.com/ for the shopping list!


Make more changes.Along with the detailed changes discussed here, you can further reduce your risk by exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and reducing stress in your everyday life. If you’re unsure how to start, stop in and chat with your Publix pharmacist for advice.



Again, if you do not have a Publix go to your local food chain and see how they can help or visit them on-line and see the tools that they may have!



References:FDA Heart Health Online. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/hearthealth/index.html
Healthy Lifestyle. American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200009
HeartHub for Patients. American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.hearthub.org/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Available at: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/cgi-bin/chd1/step1intro.cgi



Always check with your doctor with anything health related!



Happy Hearts