You only get one heart. With that in mind, making your heart health a priority just makes good sense. Heart disease is a silent killer, often not showing serious symptoms unto substantial damage has been done to your heart. By engaging in some basic preventative measures, you can keep a healthy heart for a lifetime.
Stop Smoking
Everyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past fifty or so years knows by now that smoking is bad for your health. Cancer comes to mind most frequently when people think about the dangers of smoking, but heart disease is also linked with smoking. If you’re already a smoker, talk to your doctor about cessation treatments. If you’re not, don’t start, and avoid second-hand smoke whenever possible.
Get Plenty of Exercise
Getting at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day is one of the best gifts you can give your heart. If 30 minutes a day seems unattainable, start with shorter bursts. Even small steps can be beneficial. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and park further away from your destination. Consider getting a step-counting device to track your progress. Aim for raising your heart rate for at least 20 minutes at a time.
Get Fit
Excess weight is your heart’s worst enemy. Talk to your doctor about the best way to lose extra pounds and to reach your ideal weight or close to it. Diet and exercise are the best approach. Your Alpha Care doctor can help you develop a diet and fitness plan to achieve results.
Eat Well For A Healthy Heart
Diet and exercise go hand in hand. Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables and cutting back on processed foods and fatty meats will increase your energy levels and help support your weight loss efforts, as well as providing your body with the building blocks it needs for a healthy heart. Talk to your doctor about a diet that includes more lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and the balance needed to maintain a healthy heart.
Avoid Alcohol
You don’t need to become a teetotaler to achieve good heart health. In fact, a single alcoholic drink every other day or so has been shown to have some benefits for your heart. The caveat is that overindulgence in alcohol has a detrimental effect on your health, so be sure to indulge only in moderation.
Call today for a consultation, and we’ll discuss ways to improve your heart health.
