Loving Your Heart Month: Simple Steps to a Healthier Heart 

February marks Heart Month. And with heart disease continuing to be a leading cause of death in the United States, it’s the perfect time to focus on the importance of loving your heart. Family Medicine Physician Dr. Megan Butler with Prevea Health in Northeast Wisconsin offers key insights for better heart care. Butler emphasizes small, manageable lifestyle changes can have a significant impact.

“Heart disease is preventable with lifestyle adjustments,” Butler explains. “There’s importance in a combination of movement, a healthy diet, stress management, and adequate sleep.” 

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Listen to Teri’s entire interview with Dr. Butler here:

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Butler acknowledges there can be a challenge in adopting changes, particularly if you aren’t feeling any immediate effects. 

Some simple tips include: 

• aiming for 30 minutes of physical activity each day
• eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins 
• cutting down on the amount of stress in your life
• sleeping at least seven hours each night

“The risks of heart disease are often silent, so people don’t notice the buildup of problems like high cholesterol or blood pressure until it’s too late,” she says.

Butler also advocates for a strong partnership between patients and their providers. It’s the best way to tailor a plan just for you.

“Start with your primary care doctor,” she says. “Make sure you’re getting regular check-ups and don’t be afraid to be proactive about discussing your heart health.”

This Heart Month and every month, give your heart some extra love. Butler encourages you to take charge of your health and visit a trusted healthcare provider to prevent heart disease and ensure your heart is running at its best.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Heart Healthy Diet

Heart disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment resources

Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms

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Read the proclamation by Governor Tony Evers declaring February as Heart Month throughout the State of Wisconsin here.

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This interview first aired as part of the NEWisco Weekend show featuring stories about Heart Month, heart health, Valentine’s Day, love songs, and more. Listen to the show in its entirety here:

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