This Valentine’s Day, be sweet to your heart, not just your sweetheart.
It’s time to break up with heart disease and introduce healthy habits to keep your ticker happy. Here are 10 ways to prioritize your heart health, according to the experts at UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute:
- Know your numbers: Your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol + body weight reveal a lot about your likelihood of developing heart problems. This guide shows the basics of what your numbers actually mean.
- Learn your family history: If a close relative has had heart trouble, you are more likely to have it. Research your family’s medical history and share any trends with your doctor.
- Get moving: Start with 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a day, five days a week. That doesn’t have to mean walking on a treadmill — consider active alternatives like dancing, bicycling, or pickleball.
- Eat well: A diet low in saturated fats (meat and dairy) and trans fats (found in fried foods + baked goods) helps reduce the risk of high LDL blood cholesterol. The DASH diet is easy to follow.
- Quit smoking: Check out these 11 strategies to help you kick the habit.
- Get enough sleep: Did you know that those who don’t sleep enough are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease?
- Reduce stress: Slowing down, staying organized, exercising + sleeping well can all help, shares Dr. Connie Jennings.
- Control high blood pressure: Talk to your doctor about the best strategy for you.
- Reduce belly fat: Abdominal fat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Studies have concluded that it’s not just how much weight you’re carrying but where you carry it.
- Take it easy on the alcohol: Excessive alcohol can lead to higher fat levels in the blood, obesity + damage to the heart muscle.
Love is in the air — and so is a healthy heartbeat.
