According to a recent survey, cardiovascular disease is a leading health issue in the UK, responsible for 1 in 4 deaths. Although everyone could be affected by heart disease, individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are at higher risk. Several lifestyle habits, including smoking, lack of physical activity, being overweight, obesity and poor dietary choices, can increase the risk of heart disease. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to reduce the risk and prevent heart disease.
Below are four easy ways to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Watch your diet and alcohol intake
What you eat and drink positively or negatively affects your heart health. Healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, lean meats and products with low-fat dairy can improve your heart health. Wisely selecting your drinks by replacing your sugary beverages with water is crucial to reducing your calorie intake. If you drink alcohol regularly, it is best to monitor your consumption. Health experts advise men to limit their intake to two drinks or less daily, and for women its one drink or less. However, it is crucial for pregnant women to avoid alcohol entirely.
Learn your health history
It is almost impossible to win a battle if you don’t know what you are fighting. Similarly, you need to know your cardiovascular risk to know the right steps to adopt and prevent any problems in the future. Knowing your family history is one of the first steps for protecting your
heart health. You may talk to your family and doctor to learn about any conditions within your bloodline. You are likely to experience a heart condition if there is a history in the family.
For instance, heart-related conditions like high blood pressure are likely passed on from generation to generation. Talk to your doctor about any family member who has any form of heart disease. You can also speak to cardiac consultants to diagnose, treat and prevent any issues related to heart conditions.
Embrace an active lifestyle
Regular physical activity is best for proper weight management, slowing the physical impact of ageing, reducing stress and sleeping better for a healthier heart. Many exercises can benefit your heart health, including walking, weight training, yoga and swimming. Walking seems too simple, yet the benefits can be enormous. You can take a short walk during lunch breaks and longer walks on the weekends. However, speak to your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.
Manage your stress
Stress can affect your heart health and possibly lead to physical and mental health conditions like stroke, anxiety and depression. A recent survey also reported high-stress levels in the UK, with approximately 75% of the adult population overwhelmed or unable to cope. It is crucial to recognise your stress factors if you want to efficiently manage it. You may undergo a stress test to identify the daily elements that trigger the symptoms. It would help if you pause and reconsider the things increasing your stress level daily. This way, you can properly manage them and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Image credit – Photo by Puwadon Sang-ngern: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-with-heart-on-palms-5340280/