February Is Heart Health Month, So Let’s Move More!

February 6, 2024 / Get Well

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, with nearly half of all Americans — 47%, in fact — presenting with at least one of three key risk factors: (1) high blood pressure, (2) high cholesterol and (3) smoking cigarettes. The good news is that you can mitigate these risk factors by changing your weekly routine. Recommitting to small, impactful behavioral changes can dramatically improve your health and reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Tiny tweaks lead to big changes. This week’s healthy heart tip is to move more. Even a few minutes of moderate physical activity can deliver health benefits and count toward the CDC’s physical activity recommendations. Watch this brief video, “Move More for a Healthy Heart,” to learn how physical activity can positively affect your heart health.

To learn even more about American Heart Month, please visit Live to the Beat | Take Small Steps and About American Heart Month: Ways to Get Involved.

Move your way, NOVA!

  • Fitness Challenges. NOVA’s Recreation Department can always be counted on for fresh, new offerings.
  • Outdoor Adventure. Join Woodbridge English Professor Indigo Eriksen for a monthly hike or backpacking trip.
    • The next hike is this Saturday, Feb. 10, at Great Falls (Maryland side). (Level: intermediate to moderate; length: 5 to 7 miles.) Learn more here. 
  • Meditation. The Annandale Center for Contemplative Practice (ACCP) hosts a weekly sit/mindfulness meditation group in person on the Annandale Campus (CM-332) and co-streamed on Zoom. Meetings are open to all members of the NOVA community and are held every Tuesday from 12:45 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. 
  • Get a move on. Take an energetic walk through the halls, hit the campus trails or consider a leisurely stroll through the art galleries on the Loudoun or Manassas campuses. 
  • Mark your calendar for NOVA’s Spring 2024 Walk Week (April 1–5).
  • Lastly, for more suggestions, check out OEWW’s curated list of physical wellness opportunities!

Square purple graphic. At top left is scribbled red heart and hashtag "OurHearts" in white text. At right of hashtag is a photograph of a woman in a pool wearing a swim cap and goggles. Immediately to the left of the photograph are the words "Embrace an active lifestyle" in white script. 

At the bottom left is a cartoon drawing of a human heart, smiling and sweating while exercising with dumbbells. To the right of the heart are the words "Choose to walk, run, and move more to keep your heart happy!"

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO), employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu