February is the American Heart month and with that we should really think about what keeps our hearts healthy as we age.

The heart is a strong muscle used to pump blood throughout the body.

One side of the heart pumps blood into your lungs while the other side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it out into the arteries of the body.

As we age, we need to keep in mind that our heart works a little differently, so we must do certain things to keep it as healthy as possible. Think about your nutrition, level of physical activity, staying on top of preventive screenings and managing your overall lifestyle.

When looking at your diet, it is important to focus on nutrient-dense things to keep your heart happy and healthy.

Keep foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and options high in fiber in your diet.

Try to reduce salt, and foods with saturated fats and added sugar.

According to the National Institute on Aging, as we get older our bodies become more sensitive to salt and can cause high blood pressure and swelling in the abdomen, legs and feet.

Remember, a flexible and balanced eating plan helps keep that heart healthy.

Physical activity is imperative, but may not look the same for each person. It is recommended that we aim for 150 minutes of physical activity each week.

Some people may enjoy doing long bouts of aerobics while others may go for multiple small walks throughout a day to hit their goal, we are all different and it may take a minute to find what works for each of us.

Remember to consult your doctor if you have concerns or to see what they might recommend.

Speaking of doctors, it is also important to stay on top of our preventive screenings. Remember that sometimes changes in our bodies are happening slowly and the sooner we catch a potential issue the better prepared we are to deal with it.

Keeping our cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes under control is just a piece of the puzzle, but it is an important piece.

Last, but certainly not least, managing our overall lifestyle to the best of our abilities helps keep the heart healthy.

By stopping smoking and limiting our alcohol consumption we can help our hearts stay healthy. And remember to make sure you are getting seven to nine hours of sleep as poor sleep has been linked to higher cardiovascular risk.

Strong nutrition awareness, physical activity, preventive care and lifestyle awareness are just some things that can cause heart concerns, but they are some of the most common. For others, things like stress, weight management, and additional medical issues may be a factor in heart disease. Be aware of how your body is reacting to your environment and issues so you can do the most to be proactive and a little less reactive.