According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Heart disease is a term that covers a range of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmias, heart defects at birth, and the thickening or enlarging of the heart. Lifestyle choices can impact individuals and put them at a higher risk for heart disease. Some of these lifestyle choices include: 

• Overeating and obesity
• Poor diet 
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use
• Smoking

Small acts of self-care, including staying active, taking walks, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy, can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Self-care for your heart is self-care for YOU. You can improve and protect your overall health when you: 

• Get in physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily 
• Cook your meals at home as opposed to eating out all the time 
• Take necessary medications and make appointments when needed 
• Sleep 7-8 hours a night 
• Manage stress 

Heart Health and Exercise

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, days a week, or vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, three days a week. Working out for just 30 minutes will help: 

• Improve circulation 
• Improve cholesterol
• Prevents/manages high blood pressure
• Improve workout efficiency 
• Help manage stress 
• Reduce the risk of stroke and diabetes 
• Delays disease and illness associated with aging 

Heart Health and Nutrition

Not only is physical activity essential for heart health, but fueling your body correctly is just as important. Make sure to consume whole foods from various food groups in your diet. Prioritize fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Limit processed foods, foods with added sugars, and alcohol. Diet can be challenging for most individuals. It is important to read nutrition facts and ingredients to help educate yourself and make the best choices. 

Creek Fit offers the Polar Club! Which is great for the heart! What is the Polar Club? 

Polar Club tracks and displays your effort in real-time through performance data, such as heart rate and calories burned. Polar Club measures and displays workout intensity through the use of color-coded heart rate zones to ensure you're keeping a healthy heart! 

The class times are as follows: 

• Tuesdays: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM with Tim
• Thursdays: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM with Alexis 
• Fridays: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM with Renee

Come Join Creek Fit in our YOGA FOR THE HEART event with Yoga instructor Marcia! 

Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 
Location: Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press