February is Heart Health Month

Cardiologist shares tips to maintain a healthy heart

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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February is Heart Health Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala, a Senior Cardiologist from Saint Anthony Hospital, offers tips to help maintain a healthy heart, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and getting tested if experiencing any concerning symptoms.

Why it matters

Heart disease is a major public health issue in the United States, and raising awareness about prevention and early detection is crucial to reducing the impact of this deadly condition. By providing simple, actionable tips, Dr. Dahodwala aims to empower people to take proactive steps to improve their heart health.

The details

Dr. Dahodwala recommends the following tips for maintaining a healthy heart: 1) Exercise regularly, including both strength training and cardio, to keep the heart strong; 2) Eat a healthy diet low in carbs, salt, and unhealthy fats to maintain a normal body weight; 3) Get adequate sleep, aiming for up to 8 hours per night; and 4) Get checked by a physician if experiencing any concerning symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, palpitations, leg swelling, or excessive snoring.

  • February is designated as Heart Health Month.

The players

Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala

A Senior Cardiologist from Saint Anthony Hospital who provided the tips for maintaining a healthy heart.

Saint Anthony Hospital

The hospital where Dr. Dahodwala works as a Senior Cardiologist.

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What they’re saying

“The secret to a healthy heart is regular exercise – lifting weights and cardio is very helpful.”

— Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala, Senior Cardiologist (lawndalenews.com)

“Having a healthy diet includes low carbs, low salt, and low fatty foods to maintain your normal body weight.”

— Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala, Senior Cardiologist (lawndalenews.com)

“Adequate sleep helps your heart! You should be sleeping up to 8 hours each night.”

— Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala, Senior Cardiologist (lawndalenews.com)

“If you're experiencing shortness of breath, chest discomfort, palpitations, leg swellings, or excessive snoring, you should get checked by a physician.”

— Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala, Senior Cardiologist (lawndalenews.com)

What’s next

For more information on maintaining heart health, visit the Saint Anthony Hospital website at www.sahchicago.org.

The takeaway

By following Dr. Dahodwala's simple tips for regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and getting checked by a doctor, individuals can take proactive steps to improve their heart health and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.