By Kristy Warren

Employees from across Laurel Health came together to celebrate Valentine's Day and American Heart Month by donning festive, heart-patterned socks to raise awareness this February.

We encourage everyone to show a little love for their heart by talking to their healthcare provider about personal risk factors, their family’s history of heart issues, and how to support their heart health. 

Why raise awareness? Heart disease is a leading killer of men and women in the United States! According to the CDC, one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease in the United States, and heart disease is responsible for about one in every five U.S. deaths.

The good news is that you and your family medicine provider can work together to identify your risk and create a personalized wellness plan to improve and protect your heart health.

American Heart Month highlights warning signs to watch for and how to take better care of your heart. There are simple, actionable steps you can take right now to boost your heart health like incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein into your diet, building in some heart-healthy exercise to help reduce stress, and staying on top of your blood pressure.

It's important to know your family history of heart problems and to discuss it with your family doctor in detail so you can take a proactive approach to heart health. This will help your provider determine your personal risk factors and how best to mitigate them to keep your heart healthy. 

Show a little love for your heart by making heart health a priority at your next checkup; contact us to schedule an appointment today!