At Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists, February is Valentine’s month, and due to the American Heart Association campaign, hearts are getting all the attention! It has occurred to us, however, that many of the tips for healthy hearts work extremely well for healthy lungs! Therefore we have decided to dedicate this two-part blog to healthy hearts as well as lungs.
Especially for Friends, Patients and Blog-readers:A FLASS Valentine: To Your Healthy Heart (And Lungs!)
We are especially pleased that women are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of heart disease and the importance of keeping their hearts healthy. The American Heart
Association, and several sister organizations have joined in the effort to help defeat women’s heart disease through education, awareness and advocacy.
“National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6, 2015, but heart disease and stroke kills 1 in 3 women every year. That’s why we want to say thank you for helping raise awareness no matter what time of the year.”
You can learn more about this remarkable movement at this informative online resource.
Valentine month is the perfect month for heart disease awareness because it is a celebration of the spiritual and emotional affairs of the heart, the joys of love and caring for friends and family.
The Best Valentine: Your Healthy Heart
There is no better way to show your Valentine loved ones how much you care than to adopt a lifestyle that nurtures your heart, your lungs, and a longer life for you.
If you have not been taking good care of your heart, the doctors and staff at Florida Lung, Asthma, and Sleep Specialists, (FLASS,) want you to make this Valentine Month a turning point for your heart (and lung) health.
At the American Heart Association website, you can find a wealth of information about controlling nutrition, exercise and stress reduction.
These are all factors that can lower your risk of heart attack and improve the health of your heart. It is no surprise that all of the tips and hints for a heart healthy life transfer to a healthier set of lungs and better breathing for your life also.
The FLASS Valentine Healthy Heart Primer (Part One)
We are sure you have heard some of our healthy heart tips previously, but it is time to take them to heart. We have tried to phrase them in more direct, action-oriented language so you can take practical baby steps to achieve your healthy heart–(and Lungs.)
Heart-Felt Tip Number 1– Eat More Home Cooking:
When cook at home, you have opportunities to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. You do not have to be a genius to know that fresh foods are better than fast foods, and much better than processed foods.
Get the details as well as help at this expert online source, with colorful videos and delicious recipes. You will also have a positive effect on your health and well-being if you learn to eat more whole grains and avoid fat and cholesterol
Heart-felt Tip Number 2: Please do not Smoke!
Smoking does all kinds of terrible things to the heart and the lungs. Did you know cigarette smoke robs you of some of the good type of cholesterol your body needs? It also raises your blood pressure and makes blood clotting more likely.
With a smoker’s shortness of breath and lung damage, smoking affects other lifestyle choices. For example, it makes it much more difficult for you to exercise.
Experts say, “Although cigarette smoking alone increases your risk of coronary heart disease, it greatly increases risk to your whole cardiovascular system.”
Let’s add a couple of shocking lung facts to this cardiovasculasr comment: “90 percent of lung cancer in men is directly related to smoking and 80 percent of lung cancer in women is caused by cigarettes.”
If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your doctor and visit this helpful online source for some wise strategies.
Heart-Felt Tip Number 3: Slay the Salt Habit!
Your heart will be healthier with one tiny change in your diet: Use less salt. Try half-salt in your shakers and recipes. “Most American adults (and children too) are eating too much sodium. In fact, we are eating about 3,400 mg of sodium a day. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend reducing sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.”
The truth is that too much sodium is bad for your heart and lungs. Experts tell us, “Too much sodium increases your risk for high blood pressure, a major contributor to heart disease and stroke.” You can uncover more about managing sodium at this helpful source.
The Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists thank you for reading our blog, and hope you join us for our next blog. We will be giving you more tips for a healthy heart, lungs and life, in Part II of our Valentine topic of heart (and lung) disease awareness. You will learn some action steps to boost the health of your heart and lungs with a healthy regime of physical activity
You might wear red in honor of Valentine’s Day or in honor of heart disease awareness month, but FLASS wants you to know that in your heart, you are wearing it for your lungs, too!
