Kim Griffin
Contributor
February is American Heart Health Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage habits that protect our hearts. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and local data show it continues to significantly impact residents here in Suwannee County.
County-level health data indicate that Suwannee County’s heart disease death rate is higher than the Florida average, underscoring the importance of prevention and early action. Conditions that increase the risk of heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and tobacco use. These statistics show that heart health is not only a concern nationally but also right here in our community.
The good news is that many risk factors for heart disease can be reduced through small, consistent lifestyle changes. Eating more fruits and vegetables, staying physically active most days of the week, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol can significantly improve heart health. Even modest changes, such as walking more or cooking meals at home, can lead to lasting benefits.
One proven approach to improving heart health is cooking and eating the Mediterranean way. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, olive oil, herbs and spices, along with moderate amounts of fish and poultry. This style of eating is rich in fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and support healthy blood pressure. Research consistently shows that following a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
To support residents in making these changes, the Suwannee County Extension Office is offering a Cooking Up Health: MED vs. Meds class focused on the Mediterranean diet and its role in improving heart health. If you are interested or would like more information about the class, contact the Suwannee County Extension Office at 386-362-2771.
This Heart Health Month is an opportunity to pause, reflect and take action—because small steps today can lead to stronger hearts and healthier lives tomorrow.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institute.