It’s time for a heart to heart

February is worldwide National Heart Awareness Month, and there’s nothing more important than a healthy heart. As per the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one killer. Cardiovascular disease affects the heart or blood vessels and has been the leading cause of death globally over the last few decades.  Did you know that every year, approximately 60 million people develop a heart or circulatory disease worldwide? In the United States and Canada, it is the first and second leading cause of death respectively.  Those statistics are staggering but what’s even more surprising is that up to 80% of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable simply through better education and healthy lifestyle changes. There’s no time like the present to jumpstart our fitness journey to help reduce our risks of cardiovascular disease in the future. First steps include: eating a healthy and balanced diet, losing weight, quitting smoking, monitoring and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, managing blood sugar levels, getting enough exercise and exercising regularly.

Let’s help you take that first healthy step by making Urban Poling (Nordic walking) part of your daily exercise?  Walking is the most common form of exercise so why not intensify it by adding a pair of urban poles? It’s an easy, fun and accessible form of exercise that can be done at anytime, indoors or outdoors, no matter the season.  Studies show that Urban Poling (Nordic walking) supports cardiac health and is an active way to help prevent cardiovascular disease. You also reap the added benefits of lower blood pressure levels, better weight management, reduced stress levels and increased exercise tolerance. So don’t let February be just about candied hearts, be kind to the most important muscle in your body.  Start urban poling today. Your heart will love you for it!