Topic: The Heart is Important for More than Romance: Heart Month (2026)

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February is American Heart Month. Learn more about how to protect your heart health and the steps you can take to reduce your risk for stroke and heart attack. 

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Did you know that stroke and heart attack have very similar causes? 

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A stroke is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, and a heart attack is caused by a lack of blood flow back to the heart. This lack of blood flow can be caused or aggravated by many factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, poor diet, and a lack of exercise. 

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What steps can you take this February (and beyond) to protect your heart and reduce your stroke/heart attack risk?

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Simple Changes to Your Diet to Reduce Risk Stroke and Heart Attack

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• Choose reduced/low-fat dairy products instead of full-fat dairy products
• Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals
• Add skinless lean meats for protein, such as chicken, turkey, or salmon
• Avoid processed/prepared foods, especially those with high sodium
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid sugary drinks

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Simple Ways to Incorporate More Exercise in Your Daily Schedule

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• When shopping, park farther away from the store to get some extra steps in
• Take a walk around your neighborhood every day
• If you are having trouble walking around, try calf raises, sit-to-stands, and knee lifts while sitting in a chair
• If you are having joint pain, water aerobics is great for heart health and easy on the joints!
• Start small (5-10 minutes per day) and gradually increase! Consistency is key

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Want to Learn More About Heart Attack and Stroke?

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Moose Pharmacy is recognized as a stroke center in the state of North Carolina, partnering with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for participation in the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program to provide our patients the best preventative care. 

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Please give us a call to hear more! 

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Resources

• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack
• https://www.stroke.org/en/

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