If you’re gifting flowers or chocolates to a loved one for Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to practice self-love too. With February being Heart Month, there’s no better time to care for your cardiovascular system.
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada — luckily the Heart and Stroke Foundation says up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through lifestyle choices.
“Understanding your own risk is the first step anyone can take to reduce it,” says Joni Bonner, Health Management Nurse at Calgary Foothills PCN. “Like any disease, there are factors we can control and factors we can’t.”
If you’re 30 or older, you can calculate your own heart disease risk on Alberta Health’s website.
Health professionals at Calgary Foothills PCN like Bonner often see patients with concerns about their heart health who are looking for steps to manage or prevent their risk of heart disease.
Check out a few of our top recommendations:
Maintaining a heart healthy diet — like eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein sources and low-fat dairy — is important to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. But with so many dietary trends, options and information out there, it’s hard to know the best approach.
“Improving your nutrition doesn’t need to be hard — it might mean dining out less or consuming fewer sugary foods and beverages,” says Bonner. “Even eating at a slower pace can help control calorie intake and achieving a healthy weight.”
If you have specific questions about nutrition, and want to chat with an expert, consider booking an appointment with a PCN registered dietitian or nurse. You can also sign up for free nutrition workshops to get answers.
For many, it helps to set achievable goals and make incremental changes towards a heart-healthy lifestyle. Goals might include incorporating exercise into your daily routine, managing stress, improving sleep, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and lowering your blood pressure or cholesterol.
PCN health management nurses provide support by recommending healthy lifestyle changes and creating a plan to help you move toward your goals.
Stress can cause the heart to work harder — in the long term, it raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Understanding how to manage your mental health is key to reducing stress and anxiety.
“If you notice you’re stressed, consider building in more time for meaningful activities, relaxation and self-care or setting boundaries,” says Bonner.
If you need professional support, the PCN’s mental health team offers one-on-one counselling; appointments with behavioural health consultants and nurses; and workshops like Anxiety 101, Anxiety to Calm and Happiness Basics.
If you’re going through a tough social or economic challenge that’s impacting your mental health, and need help navigating your options, consider booking an appointment with a PCN social worker.
Even if you feel fine, it’s worth visiting your doctor if you have concerns about possible heart health risks. Many heart issues go undetected until it’s an emergency. That’s where your doctor’s office comes in — they can help monitor your heart health through a variety of at-home recommendations, measurements, tests and routine screenings if needed.
For example, once women reach menopause, their risk for heart disease increases significantly. It’s important to get routine screenings from your family doctor at this stage.
For those with a known history of heart health concerns, the above tips still apply — making healthy life choices is the best way to manage your condition and limit future risks.
If your family doctor has prescribed you medication, the PCN’s team of clinical pharmacists can help you understand and manage it. The team frequently prescribes and manages medications for heart-related conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Give your heart some much needed love this month. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to your family doctor who can help shape your care plan, or book an appointment or workshop with the PCN.