4 Tips To Better Heart Health
How seriously are you taking your heart health? Approximately every 40 seconds, an American will have a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The average age at the first heart attack is 65.6 years for males and 72 years for females.
The month of February is American Heart Month.
While there are many who suffer from heart disease, there are also many who are making lifestyle choices to help reduce or delay heart problems. Through simple changes in your daily routine, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
As we serve the communities of Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, and Laguna Beach, we strive to encourage every patient to take steps to improve the health of their heart.
Implement these tips in your everyday life to keep your heart healthy:
Add Color To Your Diet
One of the most impactful ways to maintain the health of your heart is through your diet. Fruits and vegetables provide your body with necessary nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants. Filling up on natural produce will help you eliminate unnecessary processed ingredients in your diet. Plan out your meals by including fruits and vegetables from every color in the spectrum to ensure a natural health boost.
Limit Your Alcohol
Even though an occasional drink will not harm your heart health overall, it is critical to be mindful of your daily alcohol intake. Not only does alcohol affect your heart, but it can also create harmful risks to the rest of your body. Along with heart attacks and strokes, alcohol abuse can cause various types of cancer. Overindulging in alcohol on a regular basis can create long-lasting effects that can be irreversible.
Keep Moving
This step is simple, yet one of the most overlooked by many adults. Exercise not only builds a strong heart, but it improves both your mind and body. Being active makes you feel better physically, and the endorphins released when you exercise helps provide mental benefits too. Exercise also assists in proper weight management. Whether it is at your desk at work or on the couch at home, pay attention to how much time you spend seated throughout the day. Taking as little as 30 minutes a day to walk will create a positive difference. You may have heard this before, some experts believe sitting is the new smoking.
Manage Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the most significant risk factor for heart disease. The damage from extra strain on your heart builds up over time, causing the coronary arteries to slowly become narrowed from excess fat, cholesterol, and plaque. When these arteries are too clogged to allow proper blood flow, the heart muscle is starved of oxygen and nutrients. Managing your blood pressure requires a healthy and balanced lifestyle. If you are not aware of your blood pressure levels, visit our office and our physicians would be happy to help you.
Many heart issues are avoidable with preventative care. At South Coast Medical Group OC, we provide services to both men and women that include monitoring their lifestyles to ensure they are on a healthy path. Regular screenings and tests allow us to recognize each patient’s unique health issues properly.
Read more information about our specific services here.
