February is American Heart Month, a national observance first proclaimed in 1964 to raise awareness about heart disease and the steps that can help prevent it and save lives. National initiatives such as National Wear Red Day, observed on the first Friday of February, bring added attention to heart disease as a leading—and often underestimated—women’s health concern.
The Modern Women’s Health Gynecology & Aesthetics care model is centered on whole-person health for women at every stage of life, making heart health a natural and essential part of the conversation. Cardiovascular risk does not exist in isolation; it intersects with hormonal changes, pregnancy history, stress levels, sleep quality, weight fluctuations, and metabolic shifts that commonly occur throughout a woman’s life.
As a female-led practice founded by Dr. Lisa M. Jukes, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN, this integrated perspective allows for earlier recognition of risk factors and a more personalized approach to prevention—one that aligns cardiovascular health with gynecologic, hormonal, and overall wellness care.
Below, you’ll find practical, evidence-based tips you can apply right away, along with insight into how our team can tailor a heart-supportive plan around your labs, symptoms, and life stage, helping awareness translate into meaningful, lasting action.
Start With the “Big 8”
One of the most trusted, research-backed frameworks for cardiovascular health is the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, daily behaviors and key health markers most strongly linked to long-term heart outcomes:
1. Eat better
- Heart-supportive nutrition emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods
- Think vegetables, fruits, fiber-rich carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- Reducing excess added sugars, ultra-processed foods, and high sodium intake can support healthier cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar over time
2. Be more active
- Regular movement supports circulation, metabolic health, stress regulation, and weight stability
- Aim for 150 minutes/week of moderate activity (walking counts)
- Add 2 days/week of strength training if you can
- If you’re starting from zero, begin with 10 minutes/day and build
- Even small increases—like daily walking—make a meaningful difference
3. Avoid nicotine
- Smoking and nicotine exposure damage blood vessels, increase inflammation, and accelerate plaque buildup
- Quitting—even later in life—can rapidly reduce cardiovascular risk and improve overall vascular health
4. Get healthy sleep
- Sleep affects nearly every cardiovascular pathway, including blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and appetite regulation
- Adults generally benefit from 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night, yet sleep is often overlooked in heart health conversations
- Protect a consistent bedtime and wake time
- Keep screens out of the last 30–60 minutes
- Address snoring, insomnia, or frequent waking with your medical care team
5. Manage weight in a sustainable way
- Even modest, gradual weight changes can positively influence blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- A supportive, non-restrictive approach is key to long-term success and metabolic health
6. Control blood pressure
- High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms
- Maintaining healthy levels helps protect the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels
- Regular monitoring is essential, especially during hormonal transitions like perimenopause and menopause
7. Keep cholesterol in a healthy range
- Cholesterol plays a role in hormone production and cellular health, but imbalances—particularly elevated LDL—are associated with increased cardiovascular risk
8. Maintain healthy blood sugar
- Blood sugar regulation affects vascular health, inflammation, and energy levels
- Even early insulin resistance can raise cardiovascular risk, making prevention and early intervention especially important for women over time
Consider Adding Targeted Nutritional Support
Lifestyle is the foundation of heart health. But for some patients, clinician-guided nutraceutical support can be a helpful adjunct—especially when you’re working on cholesterol, inflammation/oxidative stress, circulation, or homocysteine-related patterns.
Here are options we may discuss at Modern Women’s Health as part of a personalized plan:
Supporting vascular lining and circulation
- The endothelial glycocalyx is a thin, protective layer that helps regulate vascular permeability and supports nitric oxide signaling—essential for healthy vessel function
- ARTEROSIL® HP is formulated around this “vascular lining” support concept.
Nitric oxide for healthy blood flow
- Nitric oxide plays a key role in vascular homeostasis and vasodilation
- Vascanox HP is positioned for nitric oxide and cardiovascular system support
Methylation nutrients & homocysteine metabolism
- B vitamins (including folate, B6, and B12) are involved in homocysteine metabolism, and homocysteine has long been studied as a cardiovascular risk marker
- BioTE® Methyl Factors+ provides methylation nutrients in bioavailable forms.
Cholesterol and antioxidant support
- Bergamot has been studied for metabolic and vascular risk factors in controlled trials (often in combination formulas); Bergamot BPF aligns with this cholesterol-support category
- Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis pathways Lipitrol OX is designed to support antioxidant defenses related to oxidized LDL patterns
Omega-3s
- Omega-3s are among the most studied supplements in cardiovascular health; evidence varies by population and outcome, and quality/dose matter—so they should be selected thoughtfully
- Options we may discuss include Ortho Mega 820 and Omega 3 Plus
*The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always review supplements with your clinician—especially if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or taking medications.
Modern Women’s Health Gynecology & Aesthetics: Helping You Make the Most of Healthy Heart Month
Healthy Heart Month is an excellent opportunity to pause, take stock, and make meaningful choices that support your heart for years to come. Small, intentional steps can create lasting impact, primarily when they’re guided by medical insight and personalized care.
From preventive screenings and lab evaluation to lifestyle guidance and clinician-supervised support options, our goal is to help you make informed, confident decisions about your health.
If you’re ready to make the most of Healthy Heart Month, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team today. You can also visit our online store for heart-healthy supplements, or place an order by phone at (512) 862-1669.
For those who prefer in-office pickup, we offer that option as well!
