Heart health is a vital focus during February, a time to celebrate love and connections. As Heart Health Month, February serves as a nationwide call to action to prioritize heart wellness. In addition, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign highlights the specific risks women face related to cardiovascular disease and how they can take steps to protect their health.

The Importance of Heart Health

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, claiming one life every 34 seconds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Despite its prevalence, many heart-related conditions are preventable or manageable through early detection, lifestyle changes, and medical care. At Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care, we are committed to helping you manage your heart health proactively.

Why Annual Checkups Are Essential

Annual checkups provide an opportunity to monitor key indicators of heart health, such as:

• Blood Pressure: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other complications if left unmanaged.
• Cholesterol Levels: Elevated cholesterol increases the risk of plaque buildup in arteries, restricting blood flow.
• Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI): Excess weight strains the heart and can lead to other chronic conditions like diabetes.
• Blood Sugar: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels contribute to diabetes, a significant risk factor for heart disease.

Early detection of issues through routine screenings allows for timely intervention, reducing the risk of severe outcomes. By partnering with Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care, we’ll help you develop a care plan that addresses your unique health profile.

Go Red for Women: Addressing a Unique Risk

While heart disease affects both genders, women often face unique challenges:

• Symptoms of heart attacks in women can differ from men, often including nausea, jaw pain, or extreme fatigue, making them harder to recognize.
• Hormonal changes during menopause can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes during pregnancy elevate long-term cardiovascular risks.

The Go Red for Women campaign encourages women to learn about these risks and take preventive actions. Wearing red during February is a simple way to raise awareness, but the real impact comes from scheduling health checkups, making lifestyle changes, and educating others.

Managing Contributing Factors

Preventive care is key to reducing your risk of heart disease. At Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care, we offer comprehensive support to manage the following factors:

1. Blood Pressure: Regular monitoring and guidance to maintain healthy levels.
2. Cholesterol: Nutritional advice and medication management to keep cholesterol in check.
3. Weight Management: Support for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through dietary plans and activity recommendations.
4. Stress Reduction: Guidance on techniques like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and other stress-relief strategies.
5. Smoking Cessation: Resources to help you quit smoking, a major risk factor for heart disease.

Localizing Heart Health in Mont Belvieu

Our Mont Belvieu community offers several resources to support heart health. Take advantage of local parks like McLeod Park for walking and jogging, which promote cardiovascular fitness. Fresh produce markets nearby provide healthy food options to fuel your body with heart-smart nutrition. At Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care, we encourage you to find creative ways to enjoy eating healthy and fitting ways to exercise in your daily routine.

Ways We Can Help You Optimize Your Heart Health

Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care offers a variety of ways to detect heart disease early, manage heart-related conditions and improve heart health naturally with hormone optimization.

BioTE Hormone Optimization

is a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) that can help maintain heart health by restoring hormone balance. BioTE can help with heart health by:

• Improving cholesterol: Estrogen protects the heart by regulating cholesterol.
• Improving blood vessel function: Estrogen helps improve blood vessel function.
• Relieving symptoms of metabolic syndrome: BioTE can help relieve symptoms of metabolic syndrome, which can increase the risk of abnormal heart conditions.
• Supporting cardiovascular system: BioTE products like Vascanox HP and Arterosil HP can help support the cardiovascular system and maintain artery wall health.

Cholesterol Management: Cholesterol management involves monitoring and controlling cholesterol levels through dietary changes, medications, and lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Blood Pressure Management: Regular monitoring and guidance to maintain healthy levels

Diabetes Care and Management: Diabetes care and management involve monitoring and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels through lifestyle modifications, medication, and regular medical checkups to prevent complications.

Take Action This February

Heart Health Month and Go Red for Women are perfect opportunities to evaluate your heart wellness. Here are actionable steps to get started:

1. Schedule an Appointment: Book an annual checkup at Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care for a comprehensive heart health assessment.
2. Educate Yourself: Learn about heart disease symptoms and risk factors specific to your age, gender, and lifestyle.
3. Make Small Changes: Start incorporating heart-healthy foods, regular exercise, and stress-relief techniques into your daily routine.

By prioritizing your heart health now, you invest in a healthier future. Let Mont Belvieu Urgent and Family Care be your partner in this journey. To schedule your annual checkup or learn more about managing heart health, call us today.

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Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Heart Disease Facts.” 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm.

American Heart Association. “Go Red for Women.” 2025. https://www.goredforwomen.org.