Heart Healthy . . . In Life
February is American Heart Month – and we’re not just talking about Valentine’s Day decorations. It’s a month to take stock of what you’re doing to protect yourself against heart disease. But safeguarding your health isn’t something you have to do alone. Cascade Health is here to help our community stay heart healthy – at work, in life, and at home. This month, we’re highlighting the ways in which each of our departments contributes to a heart-healthy Lane County, plus tips from our professional team on keeping your heart healthy.
Did you know that people who have diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as someone without diabetes – and at a younger age? Though many people don’t realize it, diabetes is a vascular disease, meaning it directly affects the blood vessels and heart. Managing your blood sugar is one of the best things you can do to improve your heart health.
Cascade Health’s Diabetes and Nutrition Education program is designed to educate and empower you so you can reduce those odds. We encourage clients to make healthful, positive lifestyle changes, focusing not just on nutrition and exercise but on other aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like stress management, getting enough sleep, and taking medications as prescribed. Our goal is to give you a better understanding of your condition and help you build skills to live well.
We asked Tracy Beckmann, RDN, LD, CDCES, Manager of Cascade Health Diabetes and Nutrition Education, to share her favorite heart-healthy tips:
Aim for balanced eating. Choose items from different food groups every day, including plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins (e.g. lean meats and legumes like black beans), and calcium-rich foods (e.g. dairy and many alternative milk products). Instead of focusing on things you think you shouldn’t eat, find foods from these groups that you should eat . . . and then eat them!
Eat a rainbow. Colorful vegetables and fruits are highly nutritious, with many vitamins, minerals, and fiber – all of which promote heart-health. We think your heart will love them!
Move your body every day. Whether it’s a little or a lot, every bit helps make your heart stronger. Find something you enjoy doing and put your heart into it.
Positive changes like these can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, two key indicators of heart health. It’s a win-win.
Ready to make an appointment with Cascade Health to get yourself on the road to a healthier heart? Call 541-228-3020 or visit cascadehealth.org/diabetes-education to learn more.