Ithaca College

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only heart-related part of February! It’s also American Heart Month and a time to raise awareness and knowledge about heart health. We all know that our heart is important, but do you know how to make sure that you’re monitoring your heart health and taking steps to make your heart as strong as possible?

Start off American Heart Month strong by following these tips:

• If you’re a tobacco user, especially a smoker, make a plan to quit now! Ingredients in tobacco products can cause damage that leads to the narrowing of the arteries, which puts you at a high risk for a heart attack.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that’s high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains!
• Keep your heart strong by getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
• Get regular health screenings to monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and to check for diabetes.

For more information about maintaining good heart health, check out these links:

• Mayo Clinic: 5 medication-free strategies to help prevent heart disease
• American Heart Association: Getting Healthy home page

ALSO PLEASE JOIN US!

Come to the following February Lunch-and-Learns for more information about maintaining good heart health! If you attend all three heart-related Lunch-and-Learns listed below, you'll be entered into one of our Heart Healthy Challenge prize drawings! More details can be found here https://www.ithaca.edu/hr/benefits/wrklife/go_red!

Can We Talk: Things to Know about Your Heart on February 6, 2014 from 1:00pm -2:00pm– HR Training Room (GL54), Peggy Ryan Williams Center:  Dr. Gary Sforzo from the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences will discuss facts, questions, and myths about heart health.  Come learn a few tips and tricks to make living a healthy lifestyle and meeting your wellness goals a little bit easier! Please RSVP to benefits@ithaca.edu or 4-8000. We need ten people registered to hold this event. 

Cooking for Your Heart on February 14, 2014 from 2:00pm -3:00pm– Terrace Dining Hall Food Lab: Join us and watch Chef J.J. Molina demonstrate how to cook a heart-healthy meal option! Please RSVP to benefits@ithaca.edu or 4-8000 by February 7, 2014. 

Living a Heart Healthy Lifestyle on February 24, 2014 from 11:30am -12:30pm – Business School Room 301: We will be hearing from Gina Chapman of the American Heart Association as she talks about lifestyle changes to help you become more heart healthy, facts about heart disease, and the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. Please RSVP to benefits@ithaca.edu or 4-8000.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Katie Sack at ksack@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-1208. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.