We haven’t forgotten how important the month of February is here at our Oakville Physio clinic. February is heart month. It’s an opportunity to highlight the importance of cardiovascular health. There are many things that are within our control to positively benefit our cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada. It affects approximately 2.4 million adult Canadians.

90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor.

It is s great time to bring awareness of what we can do to positively impact what are called modifiable risk factors.

We have some control over our heart disease risk factors my making better lifestyle choices. These include:

• Exercising regularly (here are the world health organization guidelines)
• Quitting smoking
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating a balanced diet
• Monitoring and minting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels (the above helps!)

There are many people in your community who are able to help with the above things. Your family physician as well as pharmacist are excellent allies in quitting smoking. Halton Region has a program called “The Stop Smoking Clinic” which is a free program that you should consider if you are living in Oakville or elsewhere in Halton.

Our Oakville Physiotherapists can help you start exercising safely and confidently, taking your general health into account.