LOVE IS IN THE AIR….
All over the world, February has been branded as the month of LOVE. Some show it with flowers and heart-filled greeting cards, or chocolates, or hugs. Others show it by wearing RED! And keeping with this theme, February is Heart Health Awareness Month.
I’ll admit that I’m biased: I consider the heart to be one of the main organs that we cannot live without. Wouldn’t you? It’s the muscle that must endure our emotions, our activities, our illnesses, our surgeries, and our inevitable aging. And… it’s not that easy to replace! I have the utmost respect for the heart and we must do all we can to keep it healthy and strong for as long as we can.
Heart Disease, more commonly known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), is when the blood flowing through the artery “pipes” to your heart muscle is blocked by a build-up of cholesterol. This can lead to chest pain and heart attacks. But do not dismay. Our bodies give us warnings through signs, symptoms, abnormal lab results and screening tests.
Heart Disease is preventable and treatable. With lifestyle changes, such as healthy/balanced diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation, we can help heal our hearts!
Examples of foods that keep our hearts healthy include:
- Fruits
- Avocados
- Egg Whites
- Whole Grains
- Soy products (tofu)
- Green leafy vegetables
- Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts)
- Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, or flax)
- Fat-free or Low Fat dairy (milk, cheese, or yogurt)
- Fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids(salmon, tuna, trout)
- Legumes (lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, lima beans)
- Canola, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oils (not coconut or palm oil)
At Allied Medical Centre, our Family Medicine Specialists and Dietician are here to keep your heart healthy. Please call us today at 800-ALLIED to schedule your heart screening.
Article by: Allied Medical Center
