120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic. You can control your blood pressure by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Quit Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 2 to 4 times and causes approximately one of every four deaths from cardiovascular disease. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the longer you’ve been a smoker, the higher your risk.
Even exposure to secondhand smoke causes heart disease in non-smokers. Smoking increases your heart rate and blood pressure. It also makes your platelets sticky and promotes atherosclerosis, the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. If you quit smoking, your risk of a heart attack drops within a year.
Making good choices about your health will lead to a healthy heart. You can start by focusing on one of these goals.
Dr. Kelly N. Wood, MD is an internal medicine physician, board-certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Kelly is currently in clinical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through a multi-dimensional platform that addresses the mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Kelly lives out her passion to help others achieve total wellness and lead a balanced life. She makes expert health and wellness advice accessible to all through speaking engagements, media appearances, her Facebook show, and personal blog (drkellywoodmd.com).
Beyond the stethoscope, Dr. Kelly is recognized as “The Bounce Back Coach,” helping high-performing women to bounce back from failed relationships rebuild their self-esteem and reclaim their identity. Her debut book, “Bounce Back to Better: Recovering from the Disappointment of a Failed Relationship,” walks readers through her personal journey of reconstructing her life after her engagement ended.
Please connect with Dr. Kelly at [email protected]