Protect your heart with this essential 5-step plan

It’s no secret that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it’s not inevitable. It can be avoided with a healthy lifestyle. “Heart disease is 90 percent treatable — anyone anywhere in the world can prevent heart disease, particularly by eating foods low in salt and cholesterol, getting regular exercise, and not smoking,” said Leslie Cho, MD, section chief of preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation Cleveland Clinic. “Even if a person in the family has heart disease, thanks to incredible advances in medicine, we can still prevent and treat heart disease.” Eat This, Not That! Your health spoke up dr Tomi Mitchell, a Board-Certified General Practitioner with Holistic wellness strategies of ways to protect your heart, saying, “At any age, it’s important to take care of your heart health. However, as you age, it becomes even more important to take steps to protect your heart. While it can be tiring to hear the same advice repeated, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your heart healthy.” Read on – and don’t miss these to protect your health and the health of others Sure signs you already had COVID.

1

Think about the holidays

dr Mitchell shares, “The holiday season is upon us – the family reunions, the drinks, the food, the late nights and the list goes on. As much as I enjoy the food and the gathering, I know this is a time when we must be careful not to overdo it and still be heart conscious. When applied, there are fairly basic guidelines that should help protect your heart, and you can start paying attention to them right away.”

2

Get active and stay active

dr Mitchell reminds us, “Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for heart health. Not only does it help reduce the risk of heart disease, but it also helps improve your overall health and well-being. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days of the week.”

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3

stop smoking

dr Mitchell emphasizes, “If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so quitting will significantly affect your health. Talk to your doctor about quitting methods that might work for you.”

4

Check your blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, so it’s important to keep it under control,” warns Dr. mitchell “You can help lower your blood pressure by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Also, you can’t monitor what you’re not measuring, so regular blood pressure monitoring is essential.”

5

Eat healthy

dr Mitchell emphasizes, “What you eat has a significant impact on your heart health. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease.”

6

manage diabetes

dr Mitchell explains, “If you have diabetes, it’s important to take good care of it to reduce your risk of heart disease. That means controlling your blood sugar levels and following a healthy lifestyle. If you have been prescribed medication, you must take it Diabetes, although widespread, is a serious disease and has far-reaching consequences for individuals. If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. High blood sugar damages the arteries and vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other organs. Over time, this damage can lead to coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain), heart attack, and stroke.”