Did you know that about one in four deaths in the US is attributed to heart disease? Heart disease is one of the most common health issues to impact people across demographic lines.
This can sound a little scary, but fortunately, with a little awareness and a few lifestyle changes, you can live a heart-healthy life.
So, what should you know about heart health? What steps can you take to keep your heart healthy for years to come?
Read on to learn more about heart-healthy foods and habits to incorporate into your daily life in order to maintain a healthy heart.
How Do You Know If You’re at a Higher Risk of Heart Disease?
Are there certain habits that increase your risk of developing heart problems? Is AFIB hereditary? Are heart attacks hereditary?
The truth is that heart health stems from a combination of individual decisions, personal medical history, and family medical history. In other words, if your mother, father, or siblings have heart disease, it means that you should be extra cautious about heart health. However, family medical history isn’t the only thing to keep an eye on.
If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, your chances of developing heart disease are higher. This is also the case if you smoke, are large-bodied, and/or live a sedentary lifestyle.
Steps to Take to Keep Your Heart Healthy
If any of these increased risk factors apply, you will want to pay close attention to your overall health in order to keep your heart healthy. However, everyone should give healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle a try. The more you take care of your overall physical and mental health, the less likely you are to develop heart disease.
To start, eat heart-healthy foods and get moderate to high-intensity exercise a few times a week. Heart-healthy foods include whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats (and other proteins), and healthy fats. Basically, sticking to a well-rounded diet of mostly unprocessed foods will do wonders for your heart–and for your cholesterol.
In addition, learn to manage stress. Feelings of anger, anxiety, and ongoing stress put your nervous system and your heart under a great deal of strain. Managing stress is also a key factor in managing high blood pressure.
Finally, seek ways to quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake if you smoke or drink on a regular basis.
A Healthy Lifestyle Promotes a Healthy Heart
Whether you know you’re at an increased risk of heart disease or you just want to maintain good heart health, there are plenty of simple steps you can take. Changing your diet and increasing exercise are two of the best ways to maintain a healthy heart. Managing stress and forgoing habits that put your heart at risk are also important factors in avoiding heart disease.
