February is American Heart Month, the perfect time to take a closer look at your heart health.
Lets start with the bad news: Yes, your risk of developing heart disease increases with age.
But were not telling you this to send you into a spiral of despair.
Heart disease is serious and scary but not unavoidable.
But if you really want to outsmart heart disease, youve got to be one step ahead of it.
And they overestimate how much exercise theyre doing.
But cardiologists and patients need to work together like partners, not adversaries.
You shouldnt talk to us like youre trying to talk your way out of a speeding ticket.
Were on your side.
Were your partner in this journey.
And we can only help if we really know whats going on.
You should think of your doctors office as a safe space.
And if for any reason you don’t feel that way, then find a new doctor.
Theyll say, I get this chest discomfort, but its probably nothing.
And they minimize it.
But actually, we really need to hear about those symptoms honestly.
We want to hear exactly what youre feeling.
We need to know the real facts of when and how those symptoms appear.
Then, well go through it with you and determine whether its related to your heart.
Specifically, these studies looked at the artery function and found a benefit from a coronary artery standpoint.
Have more (worry-free) sex!
Theres that old Hollywood cliche where an older man sleeps with a younger woman and has a heart attack.
Somehow thats evolved into anxiety that all older adults having sex could end up with heart failure.
Sex does increase our heart rate and blood pressure, but dont overestimate it as a physical activity.
You probably exert more energy with a brisk walk.
(Of course, if youre doing somethingreallyathletic and interesting, that might be a different story!)
But regular intercourse is fine.
But otherwise, sex has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease, not encourage it.
If you dont drink, dont start.
If you do drink, then drink moderately.
The recommendation for men is two or fewer drinks per day.
For women, its one glass of wine or the equivalent daily.
Dogs can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
And nobody has ever gotten a hangover from living with a dog.
