Keeping your heart healthy is extremely important. You can protect yourself by not smoking, eating healthy, and more.
Don’t Smoke: You’re probably familiar with the phrase “Smoking is bad for your health!” It is true that smoking is bad for your lungs and heart. Therefore, the prevention of cardiovascular disease requires strict restrictions on smoking. According to the FDA, the more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke can interfere with important bodily functions and cause serious health problems if inhaled. Even secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease.
Eat a healthy diet: Diet plays an important role in protecting your heart health. Make sure your diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, plant-based protein, lean animal protein and fish. Limit your intake of starches, sugars, saturated fats, and processed meats.
Get more exercise: Daily physical activity is a very important habit in preventing heart disease. A study has found a link between regular exercise and a lower risk of death and the odds of developing cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each day.
Get a good night’s sleep: Sleep also plays an important role in health, but it’s often overlooked. Research shows that people who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression.
Avoid Stress: While stress is an unavoidable part of life, it is one of the biggest contributors to heart disease. Chronic or chronic stress can lead to increased blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a report from the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Control blood pressure levels: High blood pressure is also a risk factor for heart disease. If blood pressure is not controlled, it can damage the kidneys, brain, heart, and other vital organs of the body.
Control cholesterol and blood sugar: High cholesterol or high blood sugar can also increase your risk of heart disease. You should see your doctor to make sure your cholesterol and blood sugar levels are under control.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease. This is because obesity increases triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. These are all factors that can cause heart disease. Therefore, maintaining a reasonable weight can protect heart health.