Wear red Friday for awareness of heart disease and stroke

It is quite appropriate that February, which features Valentine’s Day, is also American Heart Month.

The first Friday of every February is the day everyone comes together to wear red to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke.

To go along with American Heart Month, in 2004 the American Heart Association created a global initiative to end heart disease and stroke in women, specifically, know as Go Red for Women.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, killing more than all forms of cancer combined.

About 90-percent of middle-aged people and more than 74-percent of young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.

This month, take some steps to help yourself and your heart.

Get your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and your cholesterol. Keep track of those numbers as well as your weight. Being overweight puts strain on your heart, but losing even five or 10-percent of your weight is a big help.

Now is the perfect time to make a commitment to changes in your lifestyle like stopping smoking, losing weight, exercising and eating healthy.

Educate your family, too by making healthy food choices for them. Teach your kids the importance of staying active. Turn on the music and dance in the kitchen.

Get a handle on that stress. Try relaxation therapy, a long walk or even yoga or meditation every day to de-stress. It might even help you sleep better. Team up with a colleague at work and take a stroll during your lunch hour.

Don’t worry about making huge changes right away. Small steps will get you where you want to go and will be easier to deal with.