Follow Your Heart!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, someone in the United States has a heart-related problem every 25 seconds. Heart disease is also the number one cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of death in women. Those are scary statistics, but there are ways you can help fight the disease and live a long, healthy life.

1. Stop smoking. Smoking raises your blood pressure and increases your risk for blood clots, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Within a year of quitting, you can decrease your chances of having heart problems by 50%. Not convinced? Secondhand smoke can also lead to heart disease, so if you don’t want to quit for yourself, do it for your loved ones.

2. Get moving. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day will help you lower your blood pressure, decrease your stress level, and it may even help you fit into those jeans you’ve been dying to wear. So, what are you waiting for? Go for a walk! Take a dance class! Exercise doesn’t have to be boring.

3. Cut back on salt. Salt has been shown to increase your blood pressure, which increases your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Next time you’re looking to add some flavor to your food, try pepper or other spices instead of grabbing for the salt shaker.

4. Have a glass of wine. Yes, you heard right! Red wine has been proven to contain antioxidants that basically help protect your heart. Make sure you have no more than one glass a day, though, or you might end up reversing the effect.

5. Wear your heart on your lips. February is “American Heart Month,” and for every tube of Fire Engine Red or Bad Bessie glossware you purchase from Laugh SHINE Repeat this month, a donation will be made to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

Do it for your mother, your sisters, your daughters, and your best friends!

Laugh SHINE Repeat!