Get heart healthy

February is all about heart health. Did you know that according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women? That is why being proactive about the health of your heart is vital.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Work Well Winter Park and Winter Park Memorial Hospital hosted Cardiologist Anil Kumar, MD, and Edwin Cabrera, Florida Hospital’s executive chef, to participate in the Health Education Series. During the lunch and learn, Dr. Kumar shared these helpful tips to take preventative measures against heart disease:

Be active – Diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity are a few factors that can put you at a higher risk for heart disease. Reduce your risk by being active. If you find exercising challenging, take heart that with as little as two hours a week of brisk walking you can reduce your risk of major cardiac events significantly.

Eat healthy – Lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure reduces your risk of heart disease. Try eating more grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Eating healthy fats found in fish, avocados, olives and flaxseed are also good for your heart. To prevent heart disease, limit your sugar intake, cut down on sweets and lower your sodium intake.

Know the warning signs – Making sure you know the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack is key. Heart attacks have several major warning signs such as chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea or upper body pain or discomfort.

Edwin Cabrera, Florida Hospital’s executive chef, performed a cooking demonstration of a heart healthy meal for the group. Chef Edwin explained that it is the small steps that can make the biggest impact. For instance, instead of using vegetable oil, use a small amount of olive oil. He also emphasized that it is important to train your taste buds to appreciate healthy foods and to not be afraid of trying foods as an adult that you may have disliked as a child. For healthy recipes to get you started, visit Healthy100.org

Start taking healthy steps today to have a healthier heart for tomorrow.

Winter Park Memorial Hospital is part of the Florida Hospital system, one of the nation’s leading centers for cardiac care. Florida Hospital treats more heart patients than any other hospital in the nation, and performs more open-heart surgeries than any other hospital in Florida. For more information, visit WinterParkHospital.com or to schedule an appointment call 407-303-DOCS (3627).