COVID heart health flip cards

Stay Active

Stay active

Reduce stress

Limit alcohol intake

Reduce stress

Quit smoking

Eat a heart-healthy diet

Stay active

Maintain a healthy weight

Reduce stress

Limit alcohol intake

Quit smoking

Manage related health conditions

Eat a heart-healthy diet

Maintain a healthy weight

Manage related health conditions

Limit alcohol intake

Quit smoking

Smoking causes heart disease, and quitting is one of the best things you can do to improve your heart health (and life span!). 35% of survey respondents have quit smoking

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Eat a heart-healthy diet

Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats and fish. Limit sugar and unhealthy fats. 58% of survey respondents have switched to a heart-healthy diet

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Smoking is directly bad for MS, and can also hurt your brain by worsening cardiovascular health.

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Stay active

Aim to move for at least 30 minutes most days. You can break this up into 10-minute sessions of moderate-intensity activity. For example, take a short, brisk walk around your neighborhood. 55% of survey respondents have become more active

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Aerobic exercise in particular has been shown to improve mood and cognitive function in MS. Yoga, stretching, and strength training may also have benefits.

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Maintain a healthy weight

Eating healthy and staying active can also help lower your body mass index (BMI) and reduce your risk of heart disease. 52% of survey respondents have lost weight

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There isn’t a special “MS diet,” but a balanced and varied diet that’s high in fiber and low in processed foods may help boost your mood and cognitive function.

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Reduce stress

Make time for calming activities, such as reading a book, taking a bath, or meditating.

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Drinking too much alcohol can make it more difficult to think clearly and may worsen your mood.

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Limit alcohol intake

Too much alcohol is bad for your heart. Keep it to a max of one drink a day if you’re a woman or two if you’re a man. If you don’t drink at all, it’s best not to start.

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Sleep is essential to reducing fatigue in MS, which often plays a role in cognitive function. Lack of sleep can also worsen your mood.

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Manage related health conditions

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can impact your heart health. Work with your doctor to manage these and other health conditions. 61% of survey respondents have taken steps to manage related health conditions

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Sleep is essential to reducing fatigue in MS, which often plays a role in cognitive function. Lack of sleep can also worsen your mood.