American month of the heart

Every time the doorbell rings, a guest arrives, dressed in red and bringing with her a new tasty dish with aroma that fills the already spicy air of Cbadandra Pope's house in Arlington. One by one, friends strolled around the living room and kitchen with dishes such as balsamic grilled chicken bad, curry cauliflower steak and freshly made hummus. They had arrived for a potluck dinner and the theme of the evening was heart health.

"My father died of a heart attack at the age of 62 and at the age of 57, he had a stroke," said Pope. "His nine brothers and sisters had a mbadive heart attack and all died of heart disease. So I know I have to concentrate, eat better, exercise and lose weight. My friends always meet for dinner about once or twice a month and we usually have a theme. In February, we decided to combine Valentine's Day and heart health. We exchanged recipes so we could all try new recipes. "

According to a study by the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States and, after decades of steady decline in the United States, it is on the rise again. Research also shows that by adopting a healthy lifestyle and controlling hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, it is possible to prevent about 80% of cardiovascular diseases. In February, the American month of the heart, health professionals are working to raise awareness about the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle and managing one's health.

"February is also … Black History Month and these two recognitions go hand in hand," said Nikkia Wilkens, community outreach professional from the Fairfax County Health Department. "African Americans have some of the highest rates of hypertension and heart disease, [but] with the right measures, we can improve our heart health. "

Wilkens and other health professionals recommend staying active, exercising regularly and monitoring salt intake. "Incorporate the movement into your daily activities, for example by taking the stairs instead of the elevator," said Wilkens. "Have a healthy diet, skip fried foods and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. S engage at eight o'clock [of sleep] one night and drink eight glbades of water each day. "

While African Americans have one of the highest heart disease rates, the American Heart Association reports that any disease, at any age, can be affected by cardiovascular disease and that 80% of cardiac events can be avoided.

"Even making small changes like 30 minutes of exercise a day can not only improve your heart health, but also your overall health," said Brendan Moore, physical trainer. "Find a type of exercise that you like enough to do for 30 minutes and that also allows you to sweat and do it every day. The important thing is that your heart rate increases. If you start to sweat, you know that you are exercising enough energy to make an impact. "

Small dietary changes can be made gradually. "Monitoring your salt intake is really important," said dietitian Caroline Knowles. "There are so many ways to prepare meals using spices instead of salt to not compromise the taste. With slow cookers and instant cookers, the options are so numerous that it's no longer necessary to fry foods to enjoy them.