We all want to live long, healthy, and happy lives. One of the ways to do that is to avoid the leading cause of death in the United States: heart disease. Here are some simple yet very effective ways to do so.
Exercise
The worst thing you can do for you heart is nothing at all, since a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main ways to heart disease. We all know that exercise is good for your heart, but do you know how much you need to get a substantial benefit?
There are varying opinions, but if you get at least three days of exercise for at least 30 minutes at a time, you will likely see benefits. Think of it as a starting point, and when you start experiencing the rush of endorphins associated with exercise, you’ll crave more. Remember, if you’re just starting out, take it slow to avoid injury and discouragement.
Vitamins And Supplements
There’s a good reason they are called “supplements” and not “substitutes.” But including vitamins and supplements as part of a healthy lifestyle can ensure you fill in the gaps when your food choices don’t cut it.
Sleep
Isn’t it nice when the things most of us enjoy can be a health benefit? You want to get adequate sleep not just to avoid being tired the next day. Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night is important for a host of reasons, one of which may even be heart health. A 2010 study found that the C-reactive protein, associated with risk for heart attack, was higher in those who got six or fewer hours of sleep each night.
Antioxidant-Rich Diet
The fact that a healthy diet is important to heart health is no great revelation. However, it’s more than just cutting calories and lowering saturated fat. In fact, you should be thinking about the power of what you add to your diet just as much as what you subtract.
Some foods are filled with powerful nutrition, which does much more than shed pounds. You can fight disease, including heart disease, with foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, walnuts, garlic and broccoli. Antioxidants help neutralize the process of oxidation and cellular damage, both responsible for aging and disease.
If you’re fighting health issues, including heart disease, it’s never too late. In fact, a recent study found when people already suffering from heart disease ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts, their risk of dying or having another heart attack or stroke was much lower than those who ate an unhealthy diet.
Don’t give up, you always have the opportunity to change your health for the better!