1.Take 2 baby aspirin a day to help circulation. Aspirin can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. It can improve the flow of blood to the heart and brain and help keep your arteries open if you have had a stroke or angioplasty (surgery to open up your arteries) Talk to your doctor before you start taking aspirin every day. This is good health care education.

2.Floss every day to prevent gingivitis which is an inflammatory disease. Using dental floss every day will make you look better, smell better, be healthier and help you live longer. A frightening array of debris and bacteria hides between your teeth and along your gum line. Using dental floss is the simplest and most effective way to protect you. Be sure to speak to your health insurance agent for dental coverage!

3.Get to know your local pharmacist. They are smart professionals who you can speak to regarding any medications that you are taking or thinking about taking. So don’t forget to include over the counter drugs also. Most pharmacists can help you understand how you health insurance coverage works with your medications that you take.

4. Cook heart-smart.Choose cooking methods that use less salt and calorie-laden fat. Steam, bake, broil or grill instead of frying. Reduce salt by avoiding bouillon or salty broth (use water instead); add lots of herbs and spices to enhance flavor.

5. Call your insurance company. Did you know that most insurance companies have a designated team just to help you use your plan effectively? With the “customer care” that they provide you can call and they can help you locate the correct physician or lab for the tests that you need to have. What is nice is that you have an entire company at your fingertips that are just waiting to help you become “HEART SMART.”

1. The cheapest health insurance is the best. The cheapest policy does not mean that it is the best option for your health care needs. It’s better to find a policy that is good for your budget and health care needs.

2. Obama-care made health insurance free. Health care reform will expand a program in every state to include adults with or without children. But it does not mean that reform makes health insurance free. The state that you live in will help mandate the cost of the coverage.

3. I should drop my health insurance because I haven’t been sick in a long time. Many people may think they’ll save money by dropping their health insurance because they haven’t used it in a long time. Unfortunately, that could end up costing you more money if you become sick and they could later be denied health insurance if they do suffer from an injury or health condition.

Nitrates, for example, can cause migraines. Nitrates are found in bacon, deli meats and hot dogs.

MSG, a flavoring used in Chinese food and some snack chips, is known to cause some throbbing headaches.

Sometimes cheese and onions can even be the culprit.

Keep a food journal to track what you eat before the headache occurs. That way, you’ll know what you need to avoid.

Here’s what you can do: Remember to brush twice a day, both morning and night, and floss regularly. Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Your dental insurance will help curb the costs of good oral hygiene.

When your doctor checks your cholesterol level, it’s too high if your number is above 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). According to the American Heart Association, more than thirty seven million Americans have cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL, which is considered a serious health risk.

Here’s what you can do to lower your risk:

• Eat dark chocolate. The antioxidants and flavonoids prevent cholesterol from sticking to your arteries.
• Drink tea. Just like chocolate, it’s loaded in antioxidants and can keep cholesterol at bay. White and green are the best options.

Load up on these vitamin C rich foods:

• Bell peppers
• Kiwifruit
• Tomatoes
• Oranges
• Dark green leafy vegetables

The vitamins and antioxidants in these foods will give your cells what they need to repair themselves and stay strong.

 Here’s some tips.

Make sure you store your medication in a cool, dry place. As convenient as it is to place the bottle in your bathroom, the humidity from the shower can damage the medication’s structure and cause it to prematurely expire.

Double check if your medication should be taken on an empty or full stomach. Different prescriptions require various protocols, so its best to read the directions and follow accordingly.