5 Things You Should Do Every Day To Maintain A Healthy Heart

Oct 15, 2023 By Madison Evans

You are aware that exercise and a balanced diet may maintain heart health. But what more can you do to maintain a healthy heart? Here are five daily behaviors suggested by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Marc Gillinov that will help your heart work more efficiently. If you adopt these habits, you may ensure that your heart health is optimal. When you take care of your heart, you help your whole body. The health of your whole body depends on the condition of your heart. If your heart is healthy, you may expect a higher quality of life and more productivity.

Here Are 5 Things You Should Do Every Day To Maintain A Healthy Heart

Choose Good Fats Over Bad Ones (Trans Fats)

In order to function properly, our bodies need a variety of fats, including saturated, polyunsaturated, as well as unsaturated varieties. We don't need the trans fat that has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke over time. That's because eating trans fat raises your "bad" LDL cholesterol while lowering your "good" HDL levels, leading to arterial blockage (HDL). If you cut them out of your diet, your blood flows better all around. Trans fats—what are they, exactly? Food sector fats are often utilized to enhance the flavor and texture for packaged baked goods, snack foods, margarine, as well as fast food fries.

Get Adequate Sleep

In order to keep your heart in good shape, you must get enough sleep. Lack of sleep may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy people of any age and with any other health habits. When compared to individuals who slept between 6 and 8 hours per night, people over the age of 45 who slept fewer than six hours per night substantially doubled their risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack. Researchers have shown that sleep deprivation alters vital biological functions including blood pressure and inflammation.

Laugh To Make Your Day Better

Laughter may help keep the heart healthy, according to studies conducted at the University of Maryland Health Center in Baltimore. Three hundred people's survey responses were analyzed by the researchers. Half of the people who filled out the survey were either heart attack survivors or bypass patients, while the remaining half were healthy controls of the same age. According to the findings, those with heart disease are less able to appreciate comedy or apply it effectively while under pressure. Even in good times, they seem glum and irritated more often. What is it for? The heart may benefit from a good belly laugh.

Learn The Danger Signs Of A Heart Attack Or Stroke

Strokes and heart attacks are life-threatening situations. It is vital to recognize the symptoms and respond immediately if required. Recently, there has been an emphasis on raising awareness that women may display distinct heart attack symptoms from males. Like males, the most frequent sign of a heart attack in women is chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. Women are more prone than males to develop specific symptoms, including shortness of breath, back or jaw discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. The glad tidings? Compared to regular blood testing, there are now accessible diagnostics that may aid in a more accurate diagnosis of heart attacks in women. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's heart disease website for additional information about heart disease.

Get Active

Long durations of sitting may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. Engage in activities that raise your heart rate, such as using the stairs instead of the elevator, walking your pet, playing in the park with your children, and doing domestic tasks. It is always possible to undertake heart-healthy lifestyle modifications. The adjustments may be as easy as getting more sleep, cleaning your teeth, consuming more water, exercising, eating a nutritious diet, and receiving frequent exams. Care New England provides a vast array of cardiac services to enhance heart health.

Conclusion

This is the first time anyone has enjoyed a visit to the cardiologist. Regardless of how competent the doctor may be, it is unsettling to consider the health of something as essential as the heart. Even if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, there are steps you can take to ensure that your heart health is as good as it can be. Dr Eugenia Gianos, head of Women's Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, says that while 50% of cardiovascular disease risk is inherited, the other 50% may be adjusted by lifestyle choices. "This implies that you may significantly mitigate a high hereditary risk or exacerbate a low genetic risk," she explains. The majority of your destiny is in your control.