Empower yourself with these heart-healthy resources and tips for busy nurse practitioners.
As a nurse practitioner (NP), you understand the importance of maintaining heart health and offer your patients meaningful steps to improve their nutrition and help protect their hearts. February is American Heart Month. a time in which all people — patients and providers alike — can focus on their cardiovascular health. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) encourages you to take time from your busy schedule and consider ways you can maximize your heart health.
Supporting Healthy Hearts
For many years, heart disease has been a leading cause of death in the United States. This month, consider the ways in which a stressful work setting, long hours and a lack of a proper work-life balance can lead to high blood pressure, unhealthy eating habits or insufficient physical activity. Pause for a moment to consider your responses to the following questions:
- Are you following a healthy diet?
- Have you made time for physical activity in your weekly routine?
- Are you getting enough sleep every night?
Is there room for improvement in any of the above areas? Explore Love Your Heart: Eight Steps to Optimal Cardiovascular Health for resources to aid with these and other factors related to your heart health.
While juggling a multitude of professional and personal responsibilities, it is important to lean on the help of others to stay heart healthy. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is promoting a brand-new initiative entitled The Heart Truth®, using the #OurHearts hashtag to encourage the adoption of heart-healthy behaviors. According to NHLBI, “Research shows having social support and personal networks makes getting regular physical activity, eating healthy, losing weight, reducing stress and quitting smoking easier.” Reach out to your colleagues and consider forming support groups to encourage and hold each other accountable in your joint pursuit of wellness.