|  | Conditions Treatments | Heart Disease

Heart Healthy Day Gifts

February is nationally recognized as American Heart Month -- various health centers across the country have taken it one step further and set aside a special day to raise heart health awareness. If your community is promoting a heart healthy day, recognizing a loved one's heart issues shows you support their goals and value their health. A gift can go a long way when it's in the interest of improving someone's health.

  1. Exercise Equipment

    • Major exercise equipment, like a treadmill or a stationary bike, makes a great gift and will help keep your loved one's ticker well-exercised. However, this equipment can be expensive. If you can't afford one, try something a bit smaller. A pedometer can assist your gift-receiver's goals by clocking their walking progress. Walking has major cardiovascular benefits. Heart rate monitors are also a smart and inexpensive way to track health. New sneakers or any workout attire can also inspire someone to use their new stuff and commit to exercising.

    Cookware

    • Diet has a major impact on cardiovascular health and sometimes it comes down to not just what food you prepare, but how that food is prepared. Steaming vegetables preserves nutrients better than boiling them. Buying steam cookware or a wok can encourage someone to eat a healthier diet -- especially if they love to cook. Certain cooking utensils can release toxins into your food, so be sure to stay away from teflon pans when buying for a heart conscious loved one.

    Snacks

    • While many with concerns about their heart have figured out what their meals should consist of, they may not be considering healthy snacks. Try introducing your heart conscious friend or family member to a healthy snack they've never tried. It may become their new favorite. Fresh veggies with hummus, natural yogurt with nuts or cantaloupe halves filled with blueberries, cottage cheese and cinnamon are all heart-healthy treats to try.

    Literature

    • Heart healthy cookbooks, books that feature success stories by people who've turned their unhealthy ways around -- or magazines that focus on healthy living are all relevant gifts that demonstrate interest in your loved one's health. The right literature can educate as well as inspire a new, healthy way of living.

Heart Disease - Related Articles