How Loving Your Heart is the Best Gift to Give Your Loved Ones

Every February, Heart Month and Valentine’s Day can help remind us to take care of what truly matters most: our hearts and the people we love.

The Cost of Neglecting Heart Health

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US since 1950, taking a life roughly every 34 seconds. An estimated 805,000 Americans have a heart attack each year, and many of us can count loved ones among the number of those who have experienced a cardiac event.

And beyond the personal toll, the financial cost of heart disease is staggering – $239.9 billion annually, including medical expenses and lost productivity. That’s not a surprise when you know that about 47% of Americans have at least one of the following key risks for heart disease:

The Link Between Physical & Financial Wellness

At WestStar, we take pride in helping our clients plan for a secure financial future, but we also know that true prosperity isn’t just about numbers – it’s also about having the health to enjoy the life you’ve built. And many of the core principles we teach regarding smart financial decisions align with heart-healthy ones, such as:

• • Invest in Prevention: Just as you contribute to your retirement savings a little bit at a time, making small choices every day – like exercising, choosing healthy foods, and managing stress – pays dividends in the long run.

• • Plan for the Unexpected: Stock market downturns and medical emergencies can both be unpredictable. Having safeguards in place ahead of time can keep you and your loved ones protected.

• • Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power when it comes to both your financial portfolio and your health. Take the time to learn the risk factors and symptoms of a heart attack – and how they can differ between men and women.

Building a Rich Future in Health & Wealth

In February, there are many educational and awareness campaigns to encourage heart-healthy habits, so it’s a great time to start down the road to healthier patterns and habits. The path to a healthier heart follows the same principles as smart financial planning:

• • Diversify for Success: Like a strong investment portfolio, your diet should be well-diversified and tailored toward your unique needs. The Standard American Diet, or SAD, is often addictive, high in calories, and low in fiber and nutrients. The appropriately abbreviated SAD DIET creates a disastrous recipe for disease and premature death – so skip the highly processed foods and opt for whole, nutrient-rich options.

• • Protect Your Loved Ones: We work hard to provide for our loved ones, but the best gift we can give is more time together. Taking care of your heart—just like securing your financial future—ensures you’ll be there for life’s most precious moments.

• • Keep Active: A financial plan is a living document that should be reviewed and adjusted regularly to make sure it still fits your needs. And, as we all know, regular exercise enhances energy, mood, and overall well-being. The Mayo Clinic recommends 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily. Often, it can be hard to find the time between work and childcare, but even walking the dog or gardening helps. Increasing the intensity, length and frequency of workouts yields more benefits.

• • Manage Stress, Get Enough Rest: Americans work, a lot. We also have a lot of debt. These can cause stress, which feeds into high blood pressure and unhealthy habits, whether eating, drinking or smoking. Just as financial planning alleviates money worries, mindfulness, rest, and relaxation are crucial for heart health.

• • Evaluate Your Habits: When making a budget, one of the first steps is to take account of where you’re spending your money and decide where you might like to cut back. One thing that can be cut to both save money and your health is cigarettes.

• • Include Your Partner: At WestStar we advocate for both spouses to participate in the management of the household’s finances and decision-making because it results in the harmonizing of the family’s financial affairs as well as providing continuity should one partner pass away.

A Call to Action: Take Charge Today

At WestStar, we believe that securing your future means protecting both your financial and physical well-being. This Heart Month, start with one small change, whether it’s a morning walk, a home-cooked meal, or checking in on your financial goals. Your future self will thank you – because when you invest in your heart, you also invest in your future.

We encourage you to share this blog post with those you know who can benefit from our heartfelt message, and hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a heart-healthy Valentine’s Day!

Sam Gullette & Erik Alexander