The key to heart health is starting with a good foundation. It’s important to build upon each success that you have, slowly.

Begin with the basics. Understanding heart health can seem daunting, but there are some basic strategies that will help get you started.

Incorporate movement into your daily activities. Trying to get to the gym after working all day can be an exercise in and of itself. Try including new movements into your daily routine. You don’t need to commit to taking the stairs instead of the elevator everyday – but try it at least three times a week.

Consider alternating between stairs and getting off your RTA or bus stop one exit sooner and walking the remainder of the distance. In parking lots, park near the back and walk the extra 100 yards to the door – even small steps such as these are really beneficial for your heart health foundation.

Incorporate new food. It takes approximately six different tastings before your palate decides if it likes the taste of a specific food. And your palate changes along with your hormone levels as you age. So the first time you try a new food should be just that – the first time. Give it at least two more chances before ruling it out completely.

Foods rich in Omega-3s and low in transfat are great for your heart! Try new spices, like garlic and cinnamon, known to lower your blood pressure. Your mom wanted you to eat your vegetables for a reason, try new ways to cook some of your favorite fruits and veggies and include them with dishes you already like.

Lastly, quit smoking. You hear it all the time, but it’s still true, tobacco products constrict blood vessels and can raise blood pressure. According the American Heart Association, smokers are two-to-three times more likely to die from heart disease than non-smokers.

According to the Surgeon General, “after just one year of not smoking the risk of smoking-related heart disease is cut in half! And after 15 years, the risk is similar to those who never smoked at all.”

Remember that building a national foundation of health starts with building one for yourself. This year’s National Public Health Week (NPHW) is from April 6-12. Join us in celebrating National Public Health Week 2009 and supporting public health efforts aimed at “Building the Foundation for a Healthy America."

National Public Health Week (NPHW) is the national campaign focused on educating the public, policy-makers and practitioners about issues related to the need for public health and healthcare.