Posted Feb 13, 2009
Shopping for a gift to warm the heart of someone special this Valentine’s Day? Why not consider giving something that will strengthen and protect it, too?
The kindest, most beneficial gift anyone can receive this month is one that encourages proper diet and exercise, says cardiologist Paul Douglass. Specifically, that’s a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fats, and a routine of at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Combined, they help keep hearts healthy and strong and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Along with Valentine’s Day, February marks National Heart Health Month. It features several campaigns that aim to increase awareness about cardiovascular disease risk factors and how to minimize them — especially among women. Women are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular disease and more likely to die from it.
Unlike age, gender and heredity, risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity can be controlled, said Douglass, chief of cardiology at Atlanta Medical Center. And Heart Health Month is as good a time as any to start.
Among Douglass’s recommendations:
Change eating habits. Replace processed foods with fruits and vegetables and add more oatmeal and whole grain cereals to help reduce cholesterol levels.
Give heart-friendly food. Offer your valentine red wine, which provides antioxidants that protect the heart, or dark chocolate (at least 70 percent cocoa), which helps lower blood pressure. Be aware of the extra calories of each.
Increase physical activity. Start simply: Walk in place while watching television, take the stairs instead of elevators and park farther from your building.
Monitor your weight. Daily monitoring can help determine caloric intake. (If you don’t want to give your valentine a bathroom scale as a gift, try a pedometer or a gym membership.)
Vikki Conwell writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Feb 11, 2009
