American Heart Month: Before love comes a healthy heart
by JUSTIN KANG
Faced with Valentine’s Day festivities, it is important to keep in mind a healthy lifestyle, especially during the month of February, also known as American Heart Month.
To many, the month of February means chocolate and flowers. However, many students do not know that February is also the month for promoting a healthier heart, and ultimately, a healthier life.
“Maintaining a healthy heart and body is a great thing to do,” said sophomore Michell Wong. “It makes you a happier, more confident individual.”
According to heart.org, unhealthy living, characterized by a lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise and other factors, can raise an individual’s risk for heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in America, according to cdc.gov.
“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important,” said senior Nathan Jimenez. “In return you get more energy, resulting in a longer life to enjoy.”
Luckily, there are many ways to prevent these heart diseases, such as through managing stress and doing daily physical activity, like walking. Quitting unhealthy habits, such as smoking, also reduces the risk of heart disease and even cancer, according heart.org. Maintaining a healthy diet is considered the best means of fighting and reducing the risk of heart diseases.
“I guess I consider myself healthy in the sense that I don’t smoke, drink or do substances that can damage my body,” said senior Elizabeth Garcia. “Overall, I try to be healthy.”
American Heart Month encourages not only individuals but also whole communities to change.
“If it were me, I would definitely spread the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to my friends and family,” said Wong. “It’s a good thing to do, and I only see it as beneficial.”
February is not only a month for devouring chocolate and giving flowers, but also a time to change one’s life for the better.