Happy American Heart Month, TITLE Fam! Dr. Lance LaMotte has not only been a practicing cardiologist for 20 years, but he also owns TITLE Boxing Club Baton Rouge! A few years ago, after participating in a boxing class on vacation, Dr. LaMotte was hooked on the idea of bringing boxing to his community. Besides flat out loving the workout, he was inspired to break into the fitness space by the overwhelmingly high cardiovascular illnesses in his home state of Louisiana. “We have a good time here, but we pay a price with our health and our longevity,” Dr. LaMotte told us. Today, he is on a mission to educate people on heart health through his cardiology practice, his TITLE club and his recent partnership with The American Heart Association. Did you know cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States?! Read up on these tips, facts and methods surrounding heart health and start educating yourself TODAY!
Risk Factors and Symptoms
- If you suffer from high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes – you are at an increased risk and regular visits with your physician are recommended.
- Smokers are also considered at an increased risk. Dr. LaMotte said, “smoking is a huge no-no!”
- Most cardiovascular diseases manifest with warning signs and symptoms. This could include losing your breath even with simple every-day activities.
- Other common red flags include chest discomfort, pain, pressure and tightness. “If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms you need to seek medical attention,” Dr. LaMotte said.
- Women’s symptoms of cardiovascular diseases have been known to go unrecognized, without having common side-effects first.
- Stress, alcohol, age, ethnicity and family history have also been known to play a role in cardiovascular risks.
Prevention by Nutrition
- A heart-healthy diet is low in saturated fats. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 10% of your daily calorie intake be from saturated fats. This includes fried foods, meats, dairy and pastries.
- Including high amounts of foods with unsaturated fats, like fish and nuts, is conducive to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
- The addition of foods rich in micronutrients, like fruits and vegetables, is also a must!
- For those that experience high blood pressure, it’s recommended a diet be low in sodium.
- When asked what his favorite heart-healthy foods are, Dr. LaMotte said, “I could eat salmon every day. And recently I rediscovered avocados, so I’ve been eating a lot of those lately… oh, and my family will tell you I’m absolutely crazy about cashews!”
Prevention by Exercise
- Exercise is imperative to heart health. Dr. LaMotte explained, “There’s a linear correlation between exercise and heart health, exercise has so many benefits.”
- The American Heart Association suggests 150 minutes of exercise per week.
- If you’re diabetic, or prediabetic, exercise can help control blood sugar levels.
- Exercise tends to lower stress levels too.
- Consistent and moderate-intensity workouts are key!
- Dr. LaMotte said, “We need to get away from expecting immediate results and get committed to achieving better overall cardiovascular health.”
Click HERE to donate to The American Heart Association.