Heart Month - How can I take better care of my heart?
Every year during February, we always hear about “Heart Month”, but does anyone really know what it truly means? For me, it means strength and perseverance. The average person that doesn’t have a heart condition probably doesn’t think twice about it. That’s the sad truth about society, if it’s not a part of you in any way, we tend to not care for it.
The truth is, February is a month full of love and commitment. It’s also a month dedicated to taking care of your heart. It’s also a month for every child that is sitting in a children’s hospital right now fighting for their next breath as their heart weakly pumps blood through their body to get some form of support. Waiting for the next open heart surgery, catheterization, or ablation, the list goes on and on, and it doesn’t get any easier.
I write this post to bring awareness to what this month truly means for those heart warriors and what it should mean for you. Take a second and realize how good you have it. We all have our trials and tribulations, there’s no argument there. But, being a newborn, toddler, teenager, or even adult going through constant fatigue, rapid heart rates, chest pains, blue lips, passing out, strokes, and even heart attacks, we can accept that we have it pretty good.
Let’s recognize those patients and give our support all month long in many ways. Here is a list of how you can do your part this month:
Take care of your own body first and foremost. Get outside or go to your local gym and walk, run, or ride a bike for starters. Any sort of exercise for one hour each day all February. I am certain you will feel better all month long!
If you smoke, STOP! Smoking increases the risk of heart failure and cancer! Imagine being a kid in the hospital right now wishing they had the chance to have your heart and you choose to smoke and ruin it?!
Stop drinking so much! I am not against drinking alcohol, I know that having a drink or two with friends or your significant other is fun for people and relaxing. But don’t overdo it. Again, a child with a weak heart would do anything to have a strong one and would never risk hurting it.
Get your heart checked this month! When is the last time you actually had your heart checked? Now is the time to get an ECG (electrocardiogram) and talk to your doctor.
Lastly and most important, the best way to support all month long is to support the Never Miss a Beat Foundation. We have raised awareness and funds (over $30,000) the last few years since our inception, and have been able to contribute towards achieving our mission of advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart disease. Donate today to support the patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The research that we need to continue is more important than ever. Let’s make sure those kids struggling, get a better life and live longer than they ever thought was possible.
