Improving Cardiovascular Health
The Libin Institute is committed to reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease. Explore some free resources to help you meet your healthy lifestyle goals.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of premature death in Canada, with heart disease, stroke and related conditions taking a life every five minutes. An estimated 1.6 million more Canadians are living with the devastating impacts of these diseases.
Fortunately, 80 per cent of these premature deaths are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices, such as getting 150 minutes of moderate to strenuous physical activity each week and eating a healthy diet filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein.
Get started today with our 30 Day Heart Health Challenge. You’ll find a number of small steps that you can do to help you live more healthfully.
Do You Know Your Numbers?
Watching your blood pressure is important to your overall health as it's one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, like strokes and heart attacks.
Let's Talk Cholesterol
Unhealthy cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Improving these levels reduces your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Getting Started
If you are new to being active, you need to start slow based on your level of fitness. See the following links for information on how to safely incorporate a new fitness regime into your daily life.
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
Prescription to Get Active: Getting Started 6 Week Guide
Building Healthy Habits
An important step in changing your cardiovascular health is building healthy habits into your daily life. See the following resources you can use to help you get started on your journey:
Keeping it Fresh
Calgary and the surrounding areas have endless ways for you to get and stay active! See below for some suggestions on how you can get active and keep it exciting:
City of Calgary - Fitness Videos
City of Calgary - Weekly Workout Ideas
Get Walking
Walking offers many physical and mental benefits and is a great way to achieve your 150 minute activity goal each week. See below for some resources to help you get walking:
Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health is beneficial for your overall health and well-being. While exercise is a great way to boost your mental health, it is important to take some time to focus on making sure you mental health is not negatively affecting your physical health. Please don't be afraid to ask for help. Below are some resources to check out:
The Canada Suicide Prevention Service
Sleep and Stress Management
Sleep difficulties are often related to stress, so making sure you are managing your stress properly and practicing proper sleep hygiene are ways you can boost your overall health. See below for some informative resources:
MyHealth Alberta - Stress Management
Active Seniors
It is important that adults of all ages are getting in their 150 minutes of activity each week. Here are some resources to inspire seniors to be active any time of the year:
Canada's Physical Activity Tips for Older Adults
Alberta's Regular Physical Activity Benefits for Older Adults