How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Promoting Cardiovascular Health During Heart Month

Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for overall well-being and longevity. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but there are many ways to protect your heart through lifestyle changes and preventive measures. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips on how to keep your heart healthy.

Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help protect your heart. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts, are especially beneficial for heart health. Limit your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Stay Active

Regular physical activity is key to maintaining a healthy heart. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week for adults. Activities like walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging can significantly improve heart health.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce this risk and improve overall health. If you're unsure about how to start, consider consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Quitting smoking can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease and improve not only your heart health, but your overall health as well.

Limit Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increased blood pressure, heart failure, and even stroke. Limiting alcohol intake can help maintain a healthy heart. We suggest no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Manage Stress

Chronic stress may contribute to heart disease, especially if it leads to unhealthy habits like overeating, poor sleep, or smoking. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help manage stress levels.

Schedule Regular Health Screenings

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help detect heart disease early. Monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol levels is crucial for maintaining heart health. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider's advice on how often you should be screened.

Don’t Hesitate to Request Care

Heart health is an essential aspect of living a long and healthy life. By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.

For more specific information on programs and services to support heart health, please don’t hesitate to call your Carson Valley Health primary care provider at 775.782.1550.