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Dear friends,

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, affecting people of all backgrounds and ethnicities. For this reason, it is important to understand the risk factors associated with heart disease and to learn the steps you or a loved one can take to keep your hearts healthy.

In honor of American Heart Month, we’re introducing a new package of Healthy Monday practices designed to help you reduce your risk of developing heart disease by adopting healthy habits. Lower your stress levels and come to a place of calm by breathing along with our heart health GIF, learn how moderate physical activity can help strengthen your cardiovascular system, and explore our Meatless Monday heart-health fact page to better understand how you can cook and eat your way to better health.

This Monday (and every Monday), show your heart some love.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, with half of all Americans (47%) qualifying for at least one of the three key risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking cigarettes).

The good news is that you can manage these risk factors by making some small changes to your weekly routine. By recommitting to simple health behaviors every Monday—moving more, stressing less, eating well, and quitting smoking—you can dramatically improve your health and reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Explore our heart health resources.

Eat Your Way to a Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Diet plays a major role in heart disease, but a few simple adjustments to your daily diet can significantly reduce your risk, and Meatless Monday is the perfect day to start.

Find out more.

Stay Active for a Healthy Heart

Your heart is a muscle, and just like your biceps and quadriceps, it too benefits from a weekly workout. Because when your heart doesn’t get the care and attention it requires, problems can develop. So how much exercise do you need to help your heart thrive? Not much!

Find out more.

Give Your Heart a Breather

By managing your stress levels, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of heart disease. One of the most effective techniques for immediate stress relief is deep breathing. Several studies have shown how deep or diaphragmatic breathing can slow your heart rate and reduce blood pressure.

Find out more.

We hope these ideas help you refresh and reinvigorate your Monday and inspire you to stay well the rest of the week. We'll see you again next Monday!

-- The Healthy Monday Team