FEBRUARY 2025 LIVE WELL. WORK WELL. NEWSLETTER: Building Heart- healthy Habits Benefits of Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Strength Training the country for both men and women, accounting for 1 out of every 5 deaths. Strength training, or resistance training, is Cardiovascular disease and the conditions gaining popularity for its long-term health that lead to it can happen at any age. Some benefits. It involves using body weight or types of heart disease include arrhythmia, equipment like free weights, kettlebells, heart failure, heart attack and stroke. and resistance bands to build muscle and A heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of endurance. Recommended at least twice a heart disease, and small changes can make a week alongside aerobic exercise, strength difference. Consider incorporating these training benefits everyone, not just practical tips: athletes. It helps with daily tasks—like • Get screened. A heart disease screening climbing stairs, lifting objects, and doing checks your blood pressure, cholesterol and chores—especially as you age. Regular blood glucose levels. If you don’t know these strength training can lead to the numbers, a baseline screening is a starting following: point for monitoring your health. • Eat healthy. It’s crucial to control portion Increased muscle mass & sizes and consume a balanced diet full of stronger bones fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Limit fast, fried and processed foods, saturated and trans fats, and sodium. • Be active. It’s important to engage in aerobic Boosted metabolism activity for at least 150 minutes weekly and muscle-strengthening activities two times per week. Flexibility workouts, such as stretching and balance, support musculoskeletal health and can help you keep up with your exercises. Better flexibility & mobility • Avoid or quit smoking. Nicotine raises blood pressure, so quit smoking or vaping. Breathing secondhand smoke also affects your heart. February is American Heart Month, which is a Reduced risk of injury or great time to take charge of your heart health falls and get screened. Your doctor can also provide more information about heart health and warning signs. Decreased risk of heart disease & diabetes Elevated mood, self-esteem & brain health

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