By focusing on seven key health factors and behaviors you can keep your heart healthy, lower your risks of heart disease and stroke, and improve your quality of life.
These include:
- Knowing your blood pressure and keeping it under control.
- Exercising regularly. You can always work your way up to at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (walking) every week or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity (running) or a combination of both. Get more information on the American Heart Association’s Guidelines for Physical Activity in Adults and in Kids here.
- Putting the smokes down.
- Getting tested for diabetes and if you discover you have it, following doctors’ orders.
- Keeping a watchful eye on your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Choosing a healthy eating plan, which includes loads of fruits and veggies, foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. As well as fiber-rich whole grains, fish (preferably oily fish-at least twice per week), nuts, legumes, seeds, lower fat dairy products and skinless poultry (skinless). Also, Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat. If you choose to eat meat, select the leanest cuts available.
- Maintaining a healthy weight, which of course varies per age, height and sex. For more information click here.
Although it’s true, family medical history may be the strongest influence on your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer, knowing can help reduce your risk of developing health problems, as it allows you to adjust your lifestyle where needed.