Your heart may belong to a certain someone this Valentine’s Day, but it is up to you to keep that loving heart in good shape. February is American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day is a great time for a heart-healthy gift.
Treat your special someone to a gift that is heartfelt and good for the heart. Patient First suggests that you express yourself with one of these gift ideas:
- What’s cooking – Many restaurants offer heart-healthy menus but you have more control over what goes into your meal by cooking it yourself. Give your loved one the gift of healthy cooking classes. It is a great way to taste new food, learn something that will last a lifetime, and give you an excuse for a romantic candlelight dinner at home.
- A heart-healthy workout – Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and provides countless heart-health benefits, but it isn’t limited to a gym. Does your Valentine like to go dancing? How about a long, romantic walk? Get out, get active, and get healthy.
- Massage – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that relaxation and stress relief are important for good heart health. You can melt that stress away with a couples’ massage.
- Sweet stuff – Does your loved one crave something sweet? Try a beautiful fresh fruit basket instead of a box of candied sweets with added sugars.
- Kick the habit – Give up smoking for your loved one or help them kick the habit themselves.
Affairs of the heart are not limited to Valentine’s Day. These steps will help you be a healthy valentine every day of the year:
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- Know your blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.
- Keep your weight under control. Obesity raises the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and diabetes.
- Know your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease.
- Reduce your salt intake.
- Reduce stress to help lower your risk of heart disease.