The heart is a fist-sized organ that pumps blood around the body. It is made up of several layers of tissue. Your heart is the center of your circulatory system. That is why it is really important to take good care of your heart.
A healthy heart is the center of overall health. A healthy lifestyle of all ages can prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. You will never be too old or too young to take care of your mind. Indeed, the younger you start making healthy choices, the longer you will benefit from it. However, exchanging good habits for bad habits to promote good health can make a difference, even if you already have a heart attack.
A healthy lifestyle is important -- we know it. Still, cardiovascular disease is the largest murderer in the United States, meaning, heart disease prevention should be at the top of everyone's priority list.
Choosing healthier foods and exercising are two of the best ways to contribute to your heart's health. There are many other things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease. Some of the factors that increase your risk of heart disease include:
Smoking
High blood pressure
Obesity/being overweight
High cholesterol levels
Inactivity
Family history of heart disease
Fortunately, this year we learned a lot from cardiologists, heart health professionals, new studies, and the American Health Association (AHA) about what we can do to keep our heart in its top shape.
Choose a healthier path
You are in direct control of many things that can affect your heart health. It's up to you how seriously you take this responsibility. Some people find it easy to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Others do so only when symptoms of heart disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are diagnosed. The good news, according to cardiologists, is that walking around the block for 15 minutes is enough to contribute to the health of the heart and the whole body.
Make healthy food choices
A healthy diet for a healthy heart is a pattern. It focuses on what you eat for days, weeks, or months, rather than certain foods or nutrients. This type of diet is naturally low in saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and sugar. Rich in whole grains, fiber, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats. Balance is the key to a healthy diet in the long run. Your diet should consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean protein. In most cases, eating this way can sometimes be spoiled.
Get enough sleep
Now you probably know that getting enough sleep every night can make a big contribution to your general health, but it's especially important for a healthy heart lifestyle. Sleep deprivation can adversely affect cardiovascular health by interfering with the body's natural rest and recovery, causing vascular changes, slowing metabolism, and straining the immune system. The reason for working to enhance your sleep game in 2022 is even more so.
Watch your weight
Obesity and overweight are not healthy. The more weight you gain, the higher your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is a measure of your body fat based on your height and weight. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Obesity also poses a risk of respiratory problems, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and even cancer.
Stop smoking
Smoking is bad for you. It causes cancer. It hurts your lungs. It's also terrible for your heart. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease. It damages the inner wall of your arteries. There are many studies showing that smoking is the leading cause of coronary artery disease and causes a heart attack.
Stop stressing
How to deal with stress varies from person to person. The way you react to it can have a direct impact on your health. There are breathing techniques that can help you cope with stress. Meditation has also been shown to be an effective way to manage stress. Exercise is also a great way to deal with this. Bad ways to respond to stress are to smoke, drink alcohol, or disturb your sleep.
Managing stress can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Stress is often associated with high blood pressure. Chronic stress exposes your body to high levels of stress hormones, which are also unhealthy.
Depending on your age, you should have your doctor check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels on a regular basis. These are two indicators of heart disease. If you are diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan that includes a healthy lifestyle.