The Healthy You Is the Better You

Posted on: 19 May 2020

The heart serves as the workhorse of your body, as it pumps constantly to ensure you remain alive and kicking. However, when it comes to keeping the heart in tip-top condition, it becomes more difficult with age, and if you fall into certain habits like drinking and smoking, it gets even more difficult. To ensure your heart remains in good condition and you are able to avoid heart disease that is life-threatening, here are a few tips that will improve your cardiac health.

Eat Healthy

Start eating more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and fish, and avoid processed and fast foods as much as possible. You will also want to cut back on the amount of saturated fats that you are eating. These can be found in dairy products and meats. Trans fats need to be eliminated completely. Don't forget to also trim back on your salt (sodium) and sugar intake.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Studies have shown that there is a link between short or excess sleep durations and the buildup of calcium in the arteries, which is a known precursor for heart disease. Based on the findings of one study, it was found that individuals who received less than six hours of sleep or even more than nine hours of sleep are more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than individuals who receive seven to eight hours of sleep.

Remain Active

It is important to stay active to keep your heart healthy. Sedentary lifestyles increase your overall risk of heart disease. Ideally, you should aim for about 30 minutes of moderative activity a day. You can start with brisk walking and lifting light objects until you feel comfortable moving onto a bit more rigorous activity.

Avoid Bad Habits

Smoking, along with secondhand smoke, can increase the risk of heart disease and lung diseases. Harmful chemicals from the smoke, and this does include e-cigarettes, can cause the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The best thing you can do is to stop smoking. It is also important to limit your consumption of alcohol while reducing your consumption of sugary beverages and foods that may contain excess calories.

Keep Stress Away

Although it may be hard, it is recommended to avoid stressing yourself out over small things. Worry and anger tend to contribute to increased blood pressure and heart disease. Instead of stressing, find simple ways in which you can relax, take deep breaths, and simply be grateful for the blessings in your life. Being positive is good for the mind, body, soul, and heart.

These lifestyle changes can do wonders for your cardiac health, but for more information or if you are having issues, schedule an appointment with a cardiac care center in your area.