Heart disease is a significant cause of mortality in the United States. It encompasses various heart and cardiovascular disorders, with risk factors falling into two categories: modifiable factors like body weight and non-modifiable ones like genetics. By making positive lifestyle choices, you can impact your heart health significantly. In this Newfemme article, we provide tips to enhance your heart health, ladies!
Quit Smoking:
Smoking is a major contributor to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. It leads to the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis. Smoking also decreases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good fats, raising blood pressure. Quitting smoking yields immediate benefits: lower blood pressure, improved circulation, and increased oxygen levels. Over time, your body heals, and the risk of heart attacks diminishes.
Enhance Your Diet:
A well-balanced diet can reduce heart disease risk, even with genetic factors. A heart-healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. On the flip side, limit or avoid foods high in salt, sugar, and alcoholic beverages, as they can worsen heart health conditions.
Fast food has a high salt and sugar content
Stay Active:
Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for reducing blood pressure and heart disease risk. Adults should aim for 150 minutes of physical activity per week, which can be spread over several days. The type of exercise doesn't need to be strenuous; staying active is what matters. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers blood pressure and reduces various health risks.
Apart from being good for the health of the cardiovascular system, exercise can also relieve stress and improve mood
Manage Diabetes:
Diabetes is a significant risk factor for heart disease and can lead to various health problems if untreated. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, exercise, and, for some, medication are essential for heart disease prevention in people with diabetes.
Stress Management:
Stress can manifest in various ways, leading to sleep problems, headaches, and low energy levels. Chronic stress can strain the heart, exacerbating other heart disease risk factors. Manage stress according to your needs and circumstances.
Heart disease is often silent until symptoms like heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure become apparent. Therefore, adopting preventive measures is the best approach to evade heart disease. Making these lifestyle changes can significantly boost your heart health and overall well-being. For more helpful articles, visit Newfemme!