6 Tips To Keep Your Heart Healthy

Simple tips, from getting enough sleep to knowing your family history, can help you improve your heart health.

Did you know your heart beats about 100,000 times and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood throughout the body each day? That's a hard-working muscle! Consider these healthy habits to keep your ticker in top condition:

# Refrain from smoking or using tobacco

As mentioned above, Nicotine and tobacco are harmful to your overall health, and it is best to avoid smoking for long and healthy life. The good news is that the damage is repaired quickly if the addicted member of family stops smoking early. Even long-time smokers can see rapid health improvements when they quit smoking.

# Be physically active every day

Regular exercise is the key to living a good and healthy life. This is because being active helps people control their weight while reducing the chances of chronic conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Even shorter bouts of activity offer heart benefits, so don’t give up and include your family in activities like gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog daily.

# Eat a heart-healthy diet

A good and healthy diet can protect the heart and improve chronic conditions in the body. A heart-healthy eating plan includes vegetables and fruits, beans or other legumes, lean meats, fish, low-fat or fat-free dairy foods, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as olive oil. While adding these items to your daily family meals, make sure you reduce the intake of salt, sugar, and processed carbohydrates for better results.

# Get good quality sleep

People who do not get good quality sleep automatically have a higher risk of suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and depression. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it by going to bed and waking up at the exact times each day. If you or anyone in your family feels like they’ve been getting enough sleep, but they are still tired throughout the day, consult a specialist at the earliest.

# Manage stress

Many people cope with stress by overeating, drinking, or smoking. This can prove very dangerous, so make sure you reach out to mental therapy to help you deal with such issues. While we understand that stress is a regular feature of life, you need to introduce healthy coping mechanism that can include meditation, yoga, and digital detox. Don’t forget to make it a family activity as it will allow you to spend some time with them and strengthen bond.

# Get regular health screenings

Visiting a doctor at regular intervals is a good idea, especially if you are in the risk category (have a family history of heart disease or are suffering from chronic conditions). Screenings for chronic conditions can help you stay healthy and prevent any existing condition from escalating or becoming fatal.