Lifestyle Changes You Can Make For Improved Heart Health

According to the CDC, in 2010 heart disease was the #1 cause of death for Americans. While the numbers may have shifted slightly, the fact is, heart disease is still one of the top causes of death around the world.

There is no disputing that good heart health is vital for a long life. The cardiovascular system may be complex but its health can be improved naturally. Your lifestyle is the first defence against heart disease. Simple lifestyle changes that follow a holistic, natural plan will enable you to lead a long active life.

Let’s take a look at some heart-healthy lifestyle choices you can incorporate today.

– Eliminate all refined sugars.Ā Substitute with natural sweeteners like honey and molasses.

– Avoid crop oils like soy, corn and canola.Ā Instead, choose olive oil and rice bran oil for cooking. Sesame and coconut oil are good for salad dressings.

– Add nuts and plant sterols to your lunch or dinner. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are good for your heart.

– Cut back on sodium intake.Ā Sodium can raise blood pressure levels, making the heart work harder.

– Avoid stress as much as possible.Ā Determine what causes you the most stress and eliminate them from your life. Whether it’s the news, email, a job, a friend or family member, your life is more important than the stress these items cause.

Stress can raise blood pressure, your heart rate and the hormone cortisol. Reduce stress that you cannot eliminate by listening to music, breathing deeply, and taking short breaks often.

– Kick the smoking habit for good.Ā Smoking is a huge risk factor to heart disease. Kick the habit, though, and you reduce your risk. If you can’t do it alone, get help.

– One glass of alcoholĀ a day for women can help reduce heart disease risk. Keep it limited to the one glass as more alcohol can cause high blood pressure.

– Read food labels carefullyĀ to avoid trans-fats, sodium and hidden sugars.

– Add cayenne to your diet.Ā Cayenne tea is effective for improving your circulation and heart health.

– Get active.Ā Thirty minutes each day of exercise is necessary for managing heart health. It helps lower your blood pressure, improve cholesterol and aids in weight management. Activities like gardening, climbing stairs, housekeeping or just walking the dog count as exercise.

– Add some weight trainingĀ to your exercise routine. Strength training reduces your weight and builds muscle mass and endurance.

– Control your cholesterol levelsĀ and blood pressure with diet and medicines if necessary.

– Reduce your blood sugar.Ā Diabetes can cause major problems with the cardiovascular system, blocking blood vessels and accelerating atherosclerosis. Diet and medications can control blood sugar.

– Manage a healthy weight.Ā Obesity and being overweight can aggravate most health problems that lead to cardiovascular disease. Lose weight through a healthy food diet and exercise.

– Scrub your hands oftenĀ with soap and water. Infections and the flu can be hard on the heart.

– Count your blessings.Ā Spend time finding positive things to be thankful for each day. Positive emotions lead to less stress and worry.

– Add vitamin and mineral supplementsĀ to boost heart health.

As you can see, these are easy-to-follow lifestyle changes that anyone can make.

Take a proactive approach to heart health. Rather than waiting until symptoms show up, start now before problems develop. Simple lifestyle changes can lead to a very healthy heart, improved mood and an overall feeling of well-being.

Related Articles

The Fascinating World of a Neurologist: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain

Have you ever wondered how the human brain, a mere 1.5 kg blob of grey matter, governs our every thought, emotion, and action? It's...

The All-Encompassing Power of Mental Healthcare: Going Holistic

You've probably heard the saying, "Mind over matter." But how often do we truly prioritize our mental well-being in today's fast-paced world? The significance...

Simple Tips to Maintain Youthful and Beautiful Skin

Age has an effect on our skin, making us less attractive as we get older. To keep looking our best and maintain youthful complexions,...

Advanced CPR Training: Elevate Your Skills with MyCPR NOW

Are you ready to take your CPR skills to the next level? MyCPR NOW go to the website offers advanced training that goes beyond...

Quickest Ways to Lose Weight- Methods That Really Works

No matter where you turn online - Twitter, Quora or any health-related forum - many questions and posts revolve around using Garcinia Cambogia to...

Ways Massage Therapists Can Work Smarter

Are You Enjoying Massage But Are You Realizing How Exhausting It Can Be? Physical and Emotionally Exhausting As an avid massage therapist, the physical...

Tips for treating your Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What is IBS? Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be defined as a common chronic illness that impacts the lining of your stomach (bowel). While your...

PASSING A RESTAURANT-HEALTH INSPECTION: WHAT LOOK FOR

Passing a Restaurant-health Inspection: What Look for A restaurant's success is dependent not only on its talented staff but also on the amazing food they...

Meniscus Tear Prevention Tips for Athletes to Lower Their Risk

In the United States alone, over 850,000 meniscus tears are performed annually. A meniscus tear often needs to be performed due to faulty cartilage...

Slow Cooking in the Summer Months

I know, I know ... slow cooker seem synonymous with Fall and Winter cooking...

Top 10 Shopping List Items For Weight Loss

Be careful with this list; you're about to venture down a path that's easy to...

How to Choose the Right Dance Studio

The search for the ideal studio could be perplexing. Not only are there different studios,...

Why Quit Marijuana? – The Effects of Marijuana on the Mind

Those who smoke marijuana are familiar with the "high" they feel when they smoke....

3 Must-Have Utensils For The Perfect Chinese Cooking Experience!

Many recipes contain little known facts and tips that new learners may not be...

Kinds Of Follower Exercise Bikes.

Care for a revitalizing breeze while you sear away the calories? Then take into...

The Complete Guide to Living in a Sober House

What is a Sober Living House? Sober living homeĀ are drug and alcohol-free places where residents...

Buy a Portable TENS Unit?

Are you seeking a TENS unit that is mobile? One thing runs on batteries...

PASSING A RESTAURANT-HEALTH INSPECTION: WHAT LOOK FOR

Passing a Restaurant-health Inspection: What Look for A restaurant's success is dependent not only on...

- A word from our sponsor -

spot_img
error: Content is protected !!