BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — American Heart Month is happening throughout February to encourage people to pay attention to their cardiovascular health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Registered Dietitian Ellen McKnight-Hill with The Maxine Firm said following a heart-healthy diet can help to prevent heart disease and improve heart health.
McKnight-Hill said a good way to get started is by increasing your whole grain intake.
She also suggests staying away from the sodium or finding alternatives. Consuming too much sodium can increase blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Even if a food does not taste salty it may be high in sodium.
“Anything under 140 milligrams per serving is considered low sodium,” she said.
McKnight-Hill said the foods you eat directly impact your cardiovascular health. Improving your diet can help you manage current health conditions, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, and can also help prevent future health problems.
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