Tips For A Healthy Heart

10 Top Tips For A Healthy Heart

1. Quit Smoking, Now!

   Smoking
   thickens the blood and increases its tendency to clot. Blood clots in
   the arteries leading to the heart could cause heart attacks while blood
   clots in the arteries leading to the brain could cause strokes.
   

   
   

2. Eat Well

   Eat
   a diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables and fish but low in red meat
   and animal fats. It helps to prevent hardening of the arteries, one of
   the main causes of high blood pressure (hypertension), stroke and heart
   disease.

   Restrict salt and sugar intakes. Drink at least 6-8 glasses
   of water per day. Avoid junk food. Use healthier cooking methods –
   steaming, boiling, grilling and baking instead of deep fat-frying your
   food.
   

   Reduce alcohol consumption, as heavy drinking has been
   known to cause heart failure, high blood pressure and irregular
   heartbeats.

   
   

3. Find Out Your Ideal Body Weight And Stay Within That Range

   
   Maintain the correct weight for your height. Being overweight reduces fitness levels and increases the load on your heart.

   
   

4. Exercise Regularly

   Walking
   is the most popular form of physical activity. Try to accumulate 30
   minutes of walking into every day, or find an activity you love doing,
   e.g., swimming or gardening and incorporate them into your week.

   
   

5. Lead A More Carefree Life

   Learn
   to relax. Stop the rat race. Smile on life more. Take up a hobby and
   make time for yourself. Aggressive and impatient people who live in the
   fast track have a much higher incidence of heart disease.

   
   

6. Check Your Blood Pressure To Find Out If You Have Hypertension

   Also find out if you have a family history of heart or blood vessel disease.

   
   

7. Know Your Cholesterol Levels And Maintain In Normal Range

   Reduce egg yolk intakes as it contains high amounts of cholesterol. Minimize organ
   meats in your diets, as these meats are high in fat and cholesterol although rich in iron and protein.

   
   

8. Check If You Have Diabetes

   If you are diabetic, you have a greater risk of heart disease if your condition is not adequately controlled.

   
   

9. Have An Overall Check-Up

   Have an annual check-up at the doctors, even if you are feeling fine and do not display any noticeable symptoms.

   
   

10. Have A Heart For Life

    Adopt positive lifestyle changes and improve your heart’s health.

    Look
    after your heart so you can live better longer. The younger you start,
    the better but it is never too late to begin. Share with your family
    and friends and have a heart for life.

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