In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. World Heart Day is celebrated annually on September 29, to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.

Here are four easy things to do to keep your family’s hearts healthy:

1. Improve eating habits one step at a time. You will more likely stick with it if you make small changes over time. Start by encouraging the family to eat a vegetable at each meal – add kale to morning smoothies, have carrots with your sandwich at lunch and prepare a salad with spinach and cherry tomatoes for dinner.

2. The heart is a muscle and it needs exercise – get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day to keep it fit. Here are simple ways to get your heart going at home:

• Jump rope
• Dance to your favorite songs
• Walk your dog
• Jumping Jacks
• Yoga

3. Manage stress with humor. Laughing not only helps reduce stress but increases the oxygen in your blood. It’s also been shown to be good for your heart.

4. Don’t smoke! Smoking can damage to the heart and cause cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and stroke. Talk to your children about the dangers of vaping and tobacco use and set a good example by not smoking yourself.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702

https://www.verywellfamily.com/easy-exercises-for-kids-1257391

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/smoking.html

https://selecthealth.org/blog/2021/03/7-surprising-benefits-of-laughing

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/How-Cigarette-Advertisements-Influence-Teens.aspx?_ga=2.44798756.1415555406.1632245472-545357572.1632245472&_gl=1*ulpoy7*_ga*NTQ1MzU3NTcyLjE2MzIyNDU0NzI.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTYzMjMxMjYxNC4yLjEuMTYzMjMxMjc4Ny4w