Happy & Healthy Hearts

February is celebrated as Heart Health Month and you have the power to take action to protect yourself against heart disease. Small heart-healthy actions like adding more movement to our day or choosing healthy foods, can have a big impact.

When it comes to heart health, prevention is key!  Below are a few easy ideas you can start today.

Eat Well

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. In fact, up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through your life choices and habits, such as eating a healthy diet.  

A healthy diet can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by:

• improving your cholesterol levels

• reducing your blood pressure

• helping you manage your body weight

• controlling your blood sugar.

A healthy balanced diet includes:

• Eating lots of vegetables and fruits

• Choose whole grain foods

• Eating protein foods

• Limiting highly and ultra-processed foods

Get Moving

To maintain heart health, a little physical activity goes a long way. Regular physical activity is a great way to keep your heart healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle. 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week is all you need. If you're not sure where to start, join us on Optimal or reach out to use at optimal@livunltd.com  and let us offer some guidance.

Maintain a Healthy Waist Circumference

Where you carry your weight is just as important as how much weight you carry when it comes to your health. Measuring waist circumference can help to assess weight-related health risk. Even at a healthy weight, excess fat carried around the waist can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and type-2 diabetes. The easiest way to assess your own waist circumference is to grab a measuring tape and measure straight across your belly button (use a mirror or someone else to help to ensure the tape goes straight around). Male: more than 94 cm / 37 inches is increased risk; more than 102 cm / 40 inches is substantially increased risk. Female: more than 80 cm / 31.5 inches is increased risk; more than 88 cm / 35 inches) is substantially increased risk. Once you know your risk level, you can start taking action to lower your risk and improve your heart health.

---------------------------------------------------

Optimal by LIVunLtd is a virtual fitness and wellness service offered by LIVunLtd. Access to live streaming classes, educational workshops, monthly challenges and more is just a click away!

 CLICK HERE to learn more and to sign up.