According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. If you’re worried that you or someone you love may get heart disease or have a heart attack, there are steps you can take to lower their risk. Here are some tips on how to improve your heart health that you can follow to help keep your heart healthy and lower your risk of heart disease and heart attack.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
One of the best tips on how to improve your heart health is to eat a diet full of heart-healthy foods. Include foods that contain polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids such as nuts, seeds, soybeans, and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Other foods you should eat daily to keep your heart healthy include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid foods high in sodium, saturated fats, processed meats, and sugary drinks, as these have been linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
2. Stay Active
As we age, our strength, mobility, and cardiovascular function start to decline. To combat this decline, it’s important to stay physically active. If you want to know how to improve your heart health, start by trying to move more throughout your day and do daily light exercise. It’s generally recommended for adults to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Build up to activities that get your heart rate up, as this gives your heart a much-needed workout.
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking negatively affects many areas of your health, including your lungs, skin, and heart. Even if you have smoked for years, quitting now can be very beneficial for your health and can reduce the risk of developing serious diseases like heart disease, lung disease, and certain cancers. Set a quit date and let loved ones know so they can support you in your efforts, or join a support group to get the resources and help you need so you can quit successfully.
4. Reduce Stress
In small amounts, stress can be healthy as it helps your body respond to challenges. However, uncontrolled and long-lasting stress wreaks havoc on your health, including your heart health. If you want to learn how to improve your heart health, you need to learn how to manage stress. Try relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation. Exercising is also great at reducing stress. Other great ways to help manage stress include counseling, relaxing hobbies, journaling, socializing, and getting quality sleep.
5. Take Heart-Healthy Supplements
If you want to improve your heart health, you need to make sure your heart is getting the nutrients it needs to support proper function. Taking supplements can help. CardioGuard CoQ10 contains ingredients that promote heart health such as monoglyceride fish oil and coenzyme Q10, which is well-researched for boosting energy production in the heart and protecting the cardiovascular system from oxidative stress. Supercharged NO2 MAX supports cardiovascular and circulatory health with an extended-release nitric oxide precursor. Nitric oxide has become known as the foundation of cardiovascular health and may help support healthy blood pressure as well as blood vessel health. LIV Formula #1 supports omega-3 metabolism in the liver and promotes cardiovascular health as well as brain, joint, and skin health. Magnesium is another great supplement, as it supports healthy heart function and the metabolism of blood glucose.
If you want to learn more about how to improve your heart health through lifestyle, supplementation, or medication, please reach out to us at Phipps Pharmacy. Our expert pharmacy team can help answer your questions and provide recommendations to help you lower your risk of heart disease and live the healthiest life possible.
