February is an important month in the United States as it marks American Heart Month. It is a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, which continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women in the country. This month serves as a reminder for all of us to pay attention to our cardiovascular health and take measures to prevent heart disease.
The good news is that by incorporating healthy habits into our daily routine, we can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Even if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, adopting a healthy lifestyle can have a significant impact and help prevent the onset of this condition.
Follow these five steps right now to boost your heart health and significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Steps To Boost Your Heart Health
# 1
Stay up to date with your medical care
Preventing and managing health conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and weight concerns is crucial for reducing the risk of heart disease. By scheduling regular check-ups with your physician and keeping track of your lab results and blood pressure numbers, you can stay on top of any potential risk factors and take proactive measures to manage them effectively.
# 2
Eat potassium-rich foods
Consuming foods rich in potassium can help support healthy blood flow and blood pressure management. You can boost your intake of potassium with fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. Some of the best sources of potassium include dark green leafy vegetables, oranges, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados and bananas to name a few. Include these foods every day.
# 3
Break bad habits
It’s important to be mindful of our daily habits, as some of them may have negative impacts on our heart health. Habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor dental care can be particularly damaging. If you are finding it difficult to break away from these habits, it may be helpful to seek guidance from your physician or a therapist. They can provide you with the necessary tools and skills to help you achieve your goals and improve your overall health.
Check here: Avoid these bad drinking habits
# 4
Move your body daily
Heart disease is a serious concern, and inactivity has been found to be a major contributor to its development, even when no other risk factors are present. Moreover, leading a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of other heart disease risk factors like type 2 diabetes and obesity. To keep your heart healthy, it is crucial to engage in regular physical activity, such as swimming, biking, brisk walking, tennis, and dancing.
However, if you have not exercised in a while, it is important to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen to ensure that you do not put your health at risk.
Check here which form of exercise is good to lower blood pressure
# 5
Practice gratitude and stress reduction
Studies have shown that developing a mindset of gratitude can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Individuals who practice gratitude tend to adopt healthy behaviours, and experience improved biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease risk.
Engaging in activities such as journaling and meditation can help cultivate this mindset of gratitude. Overall, incorporating gratitude into our daily lives can aid in mitigating the negative physiological effects of stress, potentially serving as a protective measure for heart health.
Check this Best Resource on Old Age Fitness
About Author: Renu Bakshi, AKA Fitness Buffhq, is an ISSA Certified Elite Trainer. He
passed the Personal Fitness Trainer Course, Nutrition Health Coach course & Specialist Exercise Therapy course from ISSA, USA, obtaining + 97% marks. He shares his experience and knowledge about nutrition and effective workouts to get you in the best shape of your life, no matter how old you may be. The author says, “Age is just a number!”
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is general and for information only because it doesn’t consider your health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalized health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should determine if the information is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
