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February is American Heart Month
Founder & CEO

February is American Heart Month! Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in the United States, so spending a couple minutes learning how to care for your heart and how to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack can really help you in the long run.

Steps to a Healthy Heart

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute offers great tips for keeping your heart in the best health possible. These awesome tips will not just support a healthy heart, but also a healthier, happier you:

  • Ask your doctor, “can we talk about my risk of heart disease?”
  • Have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet 
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Get enough sleep
  • Develop strategies for managing your stress
  • Get regular physical activity
  • If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you find effective cessation strategies

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute publishes a helpful resource for recognizing the top signs of a heart attack:

  • Chest pain*, or the sensation of being squeezed or having heartburn
  • Pain in the arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw or stomach above your belly button
  • Feeling like you cannot breathe
  • Feeling light-headed or breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Feeling exhausted 

*Women need to be particularly careful - according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, women are less likely to experience chest pain during a heart attack. Be careful not to diminish the possibility of a heart attack simply because there’s no chest pain. It’s best to seek immediate care from a qualified medical professional.

Getting Life Insurance When You Have a Heart Condition

“Heart conditions” range from mild to severe. Learn more about the life insurance coverage available to people with a range of heart conditions - from generally healthy people who have abnormal EKGs to people who survived a recent heart attack in Getting Life Insurance When You Have a Heart Condition.

Wallis is the Founder & CEO of AboveBoard Financial, a company reinventing investment advice and insurance with revolutionary transparency and honesty. Wallis spent over 10 years at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker and hedge fund investor in financial institutions. She founded AboveBoard to cut through the BS and present important choices with clarity and compassion. Wallis lives in New York City with her husband and two young children.

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