Butler County Health Department

02/21/2026

02/20/2026

Canceled.

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine's Day, and Thank You for reading along with us in commemoration of Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Celebrate a heart-healthy Valentine's Day with active dates like dancing or hiking, gifts like fitness trackers or cooking classes, and food focusing on fruits, veggies, lean proteins (salmon, chicken), whole grains, and dark chocolate in moderation, while limiting sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats to nourish both your love and your heart. Focus on connection through hugs, shared goals, and stress reduction, making it a day for overall wellness, not just indulgence.

Activity & Connection Ideas

Get Active Together: Go for a brisk walk, try ice skating, take a dance class (salsa!), or go hiking to get your heart rate up.

Hugs & Kisses: Kissing and cuddling can lower stress and blood pressure.

Share Goals: Talk about supporting each other's healthy habits and fitness goals.

Reduce Stress: Engage in relaxing activities like an art class or simply talking about what you appreciate.

Heart-Healthy Food & Drink

Smart Swaps: Opt for dark chocolate (rich in flavonols) over milk chocolate, and choose nuts like walnuts or almonds for snacks.

Fruit Power: Use heart-shaped cookie cutters for melon, or enjoy strawberries, blueberries, and oranges for natural sweetness.

Lean Proteins: Include salmon (omega-3s), skinless chicken, or lean turkey in your meal.

Whole Grains & Veggies: Make a meal with whole grains, colorful vegetables like broccoli, beets, or kale, and use olive oil.

Moderate Alcohol: If drinking, a small glass of red wine offers antioxidants, but hydrate with water too.

Control Sodium/Sugar: Go easy on salt and sugary drinks.

Thoughtful Gifts (Beyond Candy)

Fitness Gear: A fitness tracker, workout clothes, or a gym membership.
Experiences: A heart-healthy cooking class or subscriptions to wellness apps.
Health Check-Up: Gift a plan to get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked.

02/13/2026

Smoking is a major, preventable cause of cardiovascular disease, responsible for roughly 1 in 4 deaths from heart disease, as chemicals in to***co damage blood vessels, increase plaque buildup, and cause inflammation. It elevates blood pressure, raises heart rate, and causes blood to clot, leading to heart attacks and strokes. Quitting immediately initiates repair, cutting the risk of heart disease in half within one year.

Impact on Cardiovascular Health

Atherosclerosis: Smoking accelerates the buildup of fatty plaque in arteries, causing them to narrow and harden.

Blood Clots: Ni****ne and other chemicals make blood "sticky," increasing the risk of clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Reduced Oxygen: Carbon monoxide in smoke reduces the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues.

Heart Damage: It causes, in both the short and long term, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, making the heart work much harder.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Smokers are at a much higher risk for developing PAD, where blood supply to limbs is severely restricted.

Secondhand Smoke: Exposure to others' smoke is equally dangerous, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.