Keeping a healthy heart means more than seeing your doctor regularly. Healthy lifestyle choices can help keep your ticker thumping along longer. Taking some simple steps in your every-day life is the best way to improve your heart health.
Healthy Heart Tip #1: Eat Right
We all know that avoiding red meat and fatty fried foods are recommended for a healthy heart. Did you know that high levels of sugar can also affect heart health? A rule of thumb to keep in mind is the closer to the farm, the 
better. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and healthy proteins like chicken, fish, and nuts are best choices. Red meats and other fatty and sugary foods should be consumed in moderation as well as high-starch foods like rice, potatoes and bread.
Healthy Heart Tip #2: Clear the Air
Smoking is a well-known cause of many health challenges. By quitting smoking, you not only do your heart a favor, you reduce your chances of contracting cancer by up to 90%. Since 85% of lung cancer cases can be traced back to smoking, dropping the tobacco habit can pay big benefits in the long run. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation techniques and aids.
Healthy Heart Tip #3: Fitness
The old joke goes, I’m into fitness: fittin’ this whole pizza in my mouth. The downside of a lack of activity is an unhealthy heart. Regular aerobic activity not only provides an energy and mood boost, it’s also vital to keeping your heart strong. Regular exercise and aiming for a healthy weight can have big benefits when it comes to heart health.
