Heart shapes line supermarket aisles, decorate television ads and fill candy boxes throughout the month. So it’s no surprise that February has been named American Heart Month. Because heart disease is both the most prevalent and deadly disease in the United States, it’s important to do what you can to protect your heart and stay healthy for those you love!

Most of us know someone who has had a heart attack or stroke. In Indiana, more than 1 of every 4 deaths are from heart disease or stroke.

Remember your own heart this February.

• Check out the American Heart Association‘s new My Life Check and Simple Seven. These tools will help you assess your heart health and plan one step towards better health.

• Schedule your annual wellness exam with your  doctor. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, feel free to make at appointment at a HealthNet health center near you!

When it comes to heart health, is it better to be thin or fit?

The short answer, of course, is that it is best to be both at a healthy weight and fit.  But if you could only be one, which would be better? 

The answer from this 2012 article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology may surprise you.

What did they study?

Researchers followed over 3,000 patients for 6 years and kept track of their weight and body fat percentage, their fitness level (measured by a treadmill test), and their relative chances of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome (an early form of diabetes).

What were the results?

The patients received at least 3 medical examinations over a six year period.  Maintaining or improving fitness level went along with a lower risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome.  Not surprisingly, patients who gained weight during the study had a higher risk of developing all 3 problems.  However, in the patients who gained weight but still managed to improve their fitness level, they had a much lower risk of developing any of the 3 problems than those who gained weight but were not fit.

What does this mean?

Improving fitness and working towards having a healthy weight are both important to reduce the risk of developing heart risk factors in otherwise healthy adults.  Keep in mind that keeping a high fitness level (regular exercise!) can protect you from heart disease even if your weight is higher than ideal.

What are YOUR hopes & dreams for weight loss? How are you making them a reality?