This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Heart Truth®. All opinions are 100% mine.
The Heart Truth program’s goal is to raise awareness about heart disease and its risk factors among women, and educate and motivate them to take action to prevent the disease and control their own personal risk.
Did you know that heart disease is the #1 Killer of women? Did you know that of all of the women who died in 2013 that one in four of those deaths that occurred in the United States is a result of heart disease? In fact, we already know that many women between the ages of 40-60 already have one or more risk factors for heart disease. I hate to be the one to tell you this but these are facts. However it gets worse if you are African American because…
Nearly 48% of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease
that includes heart disease and stroke. ~CDC.gov
This is a serious problem for African Americans and it doesn’t have to be. There are some small steps that we can take to reduce our risks for heart disease and here are 4:
Go To The Doctor. Make an appointment
When is the last time you had a check up at the doctor? If you have to think about that, then you are probably due. A simple trip to your family physician can save your life. A basic physical includes certain tests that can alert you to certain risk factors that you might be in danger of having like:
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Diabetes and Pre Diabetes
Stop being a scared and just go do it. Prevention is key. Too many of us are dropping dead like flies when we could do something simple to stop it.
Exercise. Get moving
Lack of exercise makes you more likely to develop a disease. With today’s technology there are so many ways to get started. Finding out what your body mass index is and getting active decreases your risk. You don’t have to kill yourself or break your pockets to make this happen. Start off slow by simply walking or running.
STOP SMOKING
I quit smoking cigarettes in 2009 and you can too. If you do your risk for heart disease, stroke… hell everything decreases. Do whatever it takes to quit. I will not lie to you, it will not be easy, but it will be so worth it. Use whatever method you want but just do it. Quit smoking.
Healthy Eating (Lifestyle Change)
Healthy eating is really a huge Lifestyle change for some. If you change the way you think about food you may just change what you eat. For me growing my own food made me perceive it differently. I started my first container garden in 2012 as a way to show my daughter where her food comes from. Now it has become a major part of our lifestyle. We have learned how to grow and what to grow. We know what fresh food tastes like and how you can become addicted to things that are good for you just like you can become addicted to things that are bad for you. Growing our food helps us maintain a healthier eating lifestyle.
Check out my video on how taking a small step like starting a container garden can lead you on a path to heart health.
You can take my tips or develop your own strategy but get started and Save Your Own Life! Take the steps you need to get heart healthy today.
For more information on The Heart Truth program check them out on their Social Media channels:
To see more Container Gardening w/The SistahChick:
Container Gardening: Tips & Benefits
Uses for Fresh Basil & Pesto Recipe
What Steps Are You Taking To Become Heart Healthy?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Heart Truth®. All opinions are 100% mine.