9 Winter 2018 | www.htcinc.net 8 www.htcinc.net | Winter 2018 3.) Educate yourself • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Part of the prevention process is simply learning the signs and what you can do to keep heart disease at bay. • Symptoms present differently in males and females, making the signs a bit murky at times. For men, chest pain or discomfort is the standard telltale signal of a heart attack. Although heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, many aren’t even aware they are experiencing a heart attack. Women’s symptoms are often the same as men’s, but women are more likely to experience other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain. • You can learn more about risk factors and symptoms at www.heart.org. 4.) Get moving • To reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke, the American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise three to four times per week*. This might include jogging, swimming or riding your bike. With our area’s mild winter temperatures, outdoor exercise is achievable year-round. • Leading an active lifestyle doesn’t mean trying to cram in an extra 90 minutes in the gym every single day. It’s about truly changing up your routine and reshaping your mindset. For example, get in the habit of going for a walk at lunch, consider meeting friends for a cycling class instead of a cocktail, or choose an evening stroll with the family instead of catching up with one another on the couch. Little changes like this can add up! • Research and try the best fitness apps that work for your pace. From MyFitnessPal and Strava to Pocket Yoga and Fitocracy, these customizable applications can ensure you keep a healthy diet and steady workout schedule. FACTS ABOUT THE OL’ TICKER Your heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood a day. There are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body! The heart typically weighs between 7 and 15 ounces. Newborn babies have the fastest heartbeats. Your heart beats about 100,000 times per day. (Source: www.unitypoint.org/ desmoines/heartsurprise) February is American Heart Month. HTC proudly supports the American Heart Association by participating in the annual Wear Red Day, among other fundraisers. Remember, weight change or a significant drop in cholesterol levels won’t happen overnight. Your goal is not a quick fix — a healthy lifestyle is comprised of small habits formed over weeks and months. If you stick to your lifestyle shift, you’ll radiate health from the inside out this spring! (*Source: www.heart.org) DID YOU KNOW? We raise a glass and say, 'Pass the spring rolls.' 9 Winter 2018 | www.htcinc.net