By: Ashmar Mandou

With American Heart Month in February, consider putting more focus on your heart this month. Especially, Latinas. Heart Disease continues to be the number one killer among Latina women. Overall, the disease claims nearly 870,000 lives a year, according to the American Heart Association. To coincide with Heart Health Awareness month, AHA is inviting women to share their stories, concerns, even recipes that will continue to bring light to heart disease as part of their national Go Red Por Tu Corazón campaign on Friday, Feb. 3. This is your chance to become proactive with matters of the heart. And to help you, we have compiled a list of tips for a healthier lifestyle.

Mind Your Food

• Make a healthy meal at home. Cooking at home helps you control the quality and quantity of what you eat. There are many healthy foods that are also considered an aphrodisiac, such as artichokes, asparagus, avocados, basil, figs, oysters, and strawberries.
• Consume less sodium. Serve food that is lower in salt, like fruits, vegetables, and other fresh foods. You can also leave added salt out of recipes like casseroles and stews.
• Eat smaller portions. Use a smaller plate to trick yourself into thinking you have consumed more. Share a meal with your sweetheart, so you don’t overeat.
• Don’t deprive yourself. If you receive a box of chocolates, don’t deny yourself a sweet treat. Take it slow and enjoy in moderation. Allot yourself one piece each day or every other day.

Be Heart Healthy Year-Round

• Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, signs include chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or comes back; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach; and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
• Avoid smoking. Tobacco smoke can cause health problems for smokers and people around them, including heart disease and lung cancer, among others.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Drink in moderation. This means no more than one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.
• Make a change. Decide to make one small modification each day. Skip a trip to the vending machine, drink one more glass of water, or add extra vegetables to your meal. For more information about Go Red Por Tu Corazón, visit www.goredcorazon.org.

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