Use every opportunity to move towards better heart health: SF STAT! – South Florida Hospital News

By:Dr. Juan Velasquez

Preventive Cardiology

During clinic, when discussions commonly take place with patients about heart disease cardiologists often discuss preventive cardiology which can include diet, exercise and physical activity. Lets keep it Heart Simple with a simple list of things people can do on a daily basis in an effort to be more healthy. These recommendations below are an overview from the American Heart Association people can follow to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Know your risk of heart attack and stroke learn about your genetics and family history.

Eat a healthier diet create goals and a meal plan with healthy options.

Be physically active gradually increase to 30-minutes of moderate physical activity five-days a week.

Watch your weight eat fewer calories, know your body mass index (BMI), work with your care team to develop a weight-loss plan for better health.

Live tobacco-free dont smoke, avoid secondhand smoke.

Manage your healthcare conditions Work with your healthcare team to manage any medical conditions, make lifestyle changes as needed.

Take your medicine Keep-up to date on your health by taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor.

Be a team player Work with your care team on a prevention plan, ask for resources for better sleep, diet, mental health and social support, and any issues affecting your better health and wellbeing.

Become your own self-health advocate

By becoming an active participant in your well-being and a self-health advocate steps are being taken towards a better future for you. In addition to helping with your own future health being your own self-advocate helps benefit relationships with loved ones and the improvement of the overall healthcare system.

Use every opportunity to move

If you work on the second floor, try to start taking the stairs rather than the elevator. When you park your car in a parking lot, try to park a little farther away in an effort to walk more steps for better health. Go outside and walk around your park or neighborhood. Invest in a watch or tracker focusing on the achievement of 10,000 steps today towards better heart health and overall well-being. Use every opportunity to move towards better health.

Dr. Juan Velasquez is an Interventional Cardiologist with Florida Medical Center and North Shore Medical Center. He is a physician with Tenet Physician Practices.

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Use every opportunity to move towards better heart health: SF STAT! - South Florida Hospital News