February’s American Heart Month is a timely reminder that caring for your heart isn’t just about responding to emergencies – it’s about the small, intentional choices we make every day. As the season of love fills store shelves with hearts, Carrollton Regional Medical Center encourages you to reflect on how a heart-healthy lifestyle supports long-term wellness and quality of life.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news? Many risk factors can be managed – or even prevented – through healthy habits, awareness, and proactive care.
Understanding Your Risk
Heart health looks different for everyone. While family history and certain medical conditions can play a role, lifestyle factors such as physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and avoiding tobacco significantly influence heart wellness. High blood pressure, excess weight, and sedentary routines can increase risk over time, making regular check-ins with your healthcare provider an important part of preventive care.
For women, heart health deserves special attention. Factors such as pregnancy-related conditions, hormonal influences, and how symptoms present can differ from men, underscoring the importance of listening to your body and advocating for your health.
Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You
Heart-related symptoms don’t always look the same – and they’re not always dramatic. Fatigue, shortness of breath, discomfort in the back or jaw, nausea, or chest pressure that comes and goes can all be signals to pause and pay attention. Knowing these signs and acting early can reduce the risk of serious damage and improve outcomes.
Prevention Is a Powerful Tool
A heart-healthy lifestyle includes regular movement, balanced nutrition, stress reduction, and routine screenings. Advanced imaging, such as a preventive CT angiogram, can help detect early signs of heart disease before symptoms appear. Early detection empowers individuals to make informed lifestyle changes and work with their care team to protect their heart health.
A CT angiogram identifies early detection of heart disease by detecting plaque in the walls of your arteries before an obstructive heart attack occurs. Carrollton Regional Medical Center’s state-of-the-art 640-slice CT scanner, the first of its kind in North Texas, provides a three-second heart scan that uses a low dose of radiation and contrast. Call today or talk to your provider to see if a preventative CT angiogram is right for you.
Everyday Habits That Support Heart Health
While genetics and medical history play a role, daily lifestyle choices are powerful tools for protecting heart health. Simple, consistent habits can reduce risk and support long-term wellness:
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Get active
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
• Control cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure
• Drink alcohol only in moderation
• Manage stress
• Get enough sleep
Be Prepared, Be Confident
Caring for your heart also means being prepared to help others. Learning hands-only CPR and knowing how to use an AED are simple skills that can make a lifesaving difference in an emergency. Staying calm and acting quickly can help protect precious moments – and lives.
Make Heart Health a Daily Priority
A healthier heart isn’t built overnight. It’s shaped by daily choices, preventive care, and a commitment to well-being. This American Heart Month, take time to invest in yourself – because a healthy heart supports everything you love.
Carrollton Regional Medical Center is a 216 - bed Acute Care Hospital managed by Sana Healthcare. CRMC serves Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Lewisville, The Colony, and other surrounding communities. CRMC offers an array of services including 24/7 Emergency Care, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Imaging Services, Rehabilitation and Therapy Services, Cancer Care, a 16- bed Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Services, and an Inpatient Orthopedic Center of Excellence. Our Women’s Imaging Center is just 2 blocks north of the hospital and provides 3D digital mammography and other specialized breast procedures. CRMC is here to serve its community with high quality, patient-focused care, close to home. Visit www.crmc.health.