Many of us know the value of a healthy heart. And I know that the decisions, however small, we make each day can lead to future trouble. There’s no question that bad lifestyle choices are the biggest risk factor for cardiovascular disease. But there are simple, effective ways to lessen that risk.
Some easy-to-adopt tips to improve heart health:
Eat a balanced diet:
Foods high in fat and cholesterol can clog arteries, raising your risk of heart attack and stroke. Key to good cardiovascular health, then, is following a healthy diet and keeping produce and fiber-rich foods in the kitchen. For me, breakfast on the go typically includes a grapefruit or banana. Family dinners at home focus on vegetables and lean proteins (red meat is an occasional indulgence, he says). Also important is a willingness to cut out processed foods. Things like fast food are low-hanging fruit. This is an easily modifiable risk factor.
Get active: Exercise is essential for managing weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. And, with the proper safety precautions, it’s never too late to start. I picked up hockey for the first time at age 40. You have to make it fun; if it’s a chore, you’re never going to stick with it, the energetic late-evening hockey games with a local rec league team are a highlight of my week.
Reduce stress: Stress is a normal part of everyday life, but too much can impact your heart and body. Chronic stress can raise heart rate, blood pressure and even your bent for vices such as junk food or alcohol. Regular tasks can be used to reduce stress, I find respite with family, assisting my three daughters with schoolwork and supporting their many extracurricular activities. Beyond that, I jog from my Ann Arbor home to work at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center — about a four-mile commute — when possible. It doesn’t add much time to my day, and it’s a great way to organize my thoughts.
Hit the hay: Support your heart with sleep. Getting enough rest (seven to eight hours nightly) is associated with lower blood pressure and higher metabolism. Establishing proper sleep habits at home can make clocking sufficient shut-eye easier. There’s no question that uninterrupted sleep is important in reducing stress as well as improving thought and effective work habits. Which is why I advise my own medical residents to take time off when they feel overly tired.
Know your family history: You have control over personal health habits. Genetics? Not so much. Finding out which first-degree relatives, if any, have had heart disease is a vital part of gauging your risk. If patients know they have a strong history, they need closer follow-up and potential screening, noting that many of my patients lack this knowledge. It also tells them that they need to pay even more focus to their own lifestyle choices.
Food is a great starting place for keeping your heart healthy, but there are lifestyle changes and heart healthy supplements that you should be incorporating into your wellness routine as well. Follow these tips to keep the beat on a healthy heart.
