Your lifestyle factors such as what you eat and drink, and your activity level gives a good clue about your heart health. Heart disease, which is a progressive condition can be prevented or even controlled by making some smart choices. Here are 5 habits to develop that will help you make your heart stronger and younger. This post is written by Kevin Cook Austin.
Quit smoking
If you have a habit of smoking, quitting is the single most beneficial thing you can do to your heart. Smoking decreases your body’s supply of oxygen and causes blood vessels to constrict. It causes coronary heart disease. Within a year of giving up smoking, your risk of developing heart disease starts to drop dramatically.
Get active
Being overweight is a sure fire way to develop heart disease. It increases your chance of developing high blood pressure and high blood triglycerides. Losing your weight will cut down your risk of many health conditions that affect your heart, like diabetes and sleep apnea. Develop a habit of 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day for healthy heart. Aerobic exercise such as bike riding, brisk walking, dancing or circuit training keeps your heart fit and raises your levels of protective HDL cholesterol. It will also help you lose your weight and maintain a healthy weight.
Eat Healthy
A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of fiber such as wholegrain cereals, vegetables and fruits. It is also low in total fat, trans fat and saturated fats that raises cholesterol levels. Choose leaner cuts of meat and low fat dairy products. Cutting down on your salt intake is also helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Eat fishes at least once or twice a week. They are good source of omega-3 fatty acids which is known to be helpful against heart disease.
Get checkups
Make it a habit to see your doctor for an annual physical that includes cholesterol testing, blood sugar and blood pressure testing and monitoring. When you receive the test results, make sure to ask your doctor to tell you your goal levels and what you should be doing to get there. Take heed of recommendations you get from your doctor. Take any medications prescribed to you to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under check.
Read the labels before buying foods and snacks
Develop a habit of reading the labels whenever you are shopping foods and drinks. Check for how much of calories, salt, sugar and additives the product contains. Having knowledge of what is there in the food will help you in planning the rest of your diet to make sure you are making healthier choices.
Author: Kevin Cook Austin
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