With heart disease as the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. it is important to consider lifestyle choices that help prevent heart disease and stroke every day. Here are a few ways to do your part each day to prioritize your heart health.
- Eat Healthier. Foods high in saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol have been found to contribute to heart disease. By eating a balanced diet low in these, and high in fiber you can decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Be Active. One of the most effective ways to strengthen your heart muscle is through physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of activity weekly - just as little as 30 minutes 5 days a week. Get up and get active!
- Manage Stress. Stress management is not talked about enough. Negative mental health is shown to greatly increase heart disease risk. This can include depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. In addition to the negative effects these conditions have on a person's mental and physical well-being, they also attribute to an increase of poor health habits and behaviors such as smoking, overeating, lack of physical activity, etc. Managing your stress through healthy coping practices can decrease these negative effects on your well-being and decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease and stroke have many contributing factors to be aware of, but through improvement in these areas you can build a strong foundation for improving your overall wellness.
It all comes down to the choices we make daily. By mindfully choosing nutritious foods, taking time to be active, and paying attention to and managing stress levels we choose every day to prioritize our health and our heart. Start by making small changes, each small change can equal big health benefits for your future.
Learn more about Heart health online at bit.ly/HeartHealthGov