Ways to Prevent Heart Disease
Approximately 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease every year. With this in mind, it’s crucial to protect your heart health for long, happy life.
There are several lifestyle changes that you can make to prevent heart disease. These include:
Eating a Heart-Health Diet
What you eat has a major impact on the health of your heart. But, what exactly constitutes a heart-healthy diet?
A heart-healthy diet should contain a well-balanced selection of foods from different food groups. Specifically, vegetables, grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, legumes, and vegetable-based oils should constitute the majority of your diet.
To prevent heart disease, it’s important to limit the following types of foods:
- Trans fats and saturated fats
- Added sugars
- Sodium
Limit Alcohol Consumption
When you drink alcohol, your blood pressure and heart rate can temporarily rise. As a result, in the long term, excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke, or heart failure. Additionally, frequent alcohol intake has been linked to obesity, which can play a big role in heart problems.
The American Heart Association has stated that to avoid excessive alcohol consumption, men should avoid having more than two drinks per day and women should avoid having more than one drink per day.
Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products
Quitting smoking and using tobacco products is an important step to protect your heart health. Nicotine causes blood vessel constriction, which limits the flow of nutrients and oxygen to all of the cells in your body. Additionally, the chemicals found in tobacco can harm your cardiovascular system.
Exercise Daily
Exercising for 30 to 60 minutes per day can reduce your risk of heart disease and help you maintain a healthy weight. In the long run, daily exercise can help lower your risk of conditions including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, which can compromise your heart health.
For more tips on preventing heart disease, schedule an appointment with one of the experienced physicians at Florida Wellness Medical Group today.