Many ways to focus on heart health

February is American Heart Month, and the Oak Park Public Health Department is spotlighting ways to maintain a healthy heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but you can take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease. One way to increase heart health is to maintain regular physical activity. You can walk and chat with a public health nurse for free, as well as get a blood pressure check, at the Community Recreation Center at 229 Madison St. from 10 a.m. to noon on Wed., Jan. 31, Wed., Feb. 21 and Sat., March 16. For more information, contact the Public Health Department at 708.358.5480 or health@oak-park.us.

Heart healthy tips:

• Commit to a walking schedule or other regular physical activity with a friend or family member, even if you can’t do it together. Text or call each other with updates or challenges. 
• Try a new heart-healthy recipe each week. Ask friends and family to share their favorite low-sodium or healthy recipe with you, or look up even more recipes at healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov.
• Make a request to the Public Health Department to give a presentation to your organization about ways to prevent heart disease.