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5 Tips to Improve Heart Health

Your heart is the hardest-working muscle in your body, and this is the very reason why you should take extra steps to protect it. Taking small steps in your everyday life can help keep your heart healthy and strong while warding off a variety of potential problems, with heart disease being at the top of that list.

As a matter of fact, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in both men and women in the United States. According to the CDC, around 610,000 Americans die every year from heart disease. Plus, around 735,000 people in the country suffer a heart attack each year. While factors like family history, age and sex can affect your overall heart health, adopting a healthy lifestyle sooner rather than later can only help improve it.

The Importance of a Healthy Heart

The CDC also reports that someone in the United States has a coronary event every 25 seconds. Heart disease symptoms can occur at any age, and a heart attack may be the first symptom you experience. Other key factors that impact your heart health are whether you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, if you’re obese or are a smoker, or if you make poor food choices on a regular basis.

If you’re worried you may be at risk for heart disease, the first step is to make an appointment to see your physician. Your doctor will perform an exam to determine your good and bad cholesterol levels, your body mass index (BMI), and your weight and blood pressure, which are all keys to making changes that improve your heart health.

Healthy Heart Tips for Seniors

What’s good for your heart is good for your overall health! So, you’ll not only be protecting this vital, hard-working muscle, but you’ll also feel better, look better, and have more energy to enjoy life.

Improve your heart health with these five healthy heart tips:

1. Change your lifestyle. Studies show that women who eat a nutritious diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins decrease their risk of a heart attack by up to 92 percent. On top of a heart-healthy diet, incorporate exercise into your daily routine. It’s recommended to get your heart rate up for 30 minutes every day by finding an activity you enjoy, whether it’s walking, swimming, biking or chair exercises.
2. Quit those bad habits. If you smoke or drink excessively, now is the time to quit, so talk to your doctor about some cessation methods available. These bad habits can take a toll on your heart health, and people who smoke are far more at risk of developing heart disease over non-smokers.
3. De-stress. In a stressful situation, your brain releases potentially harmful hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which can negatively affect your heart health. Find ways to reduce the stress in your life and relax. Take time each day to unwind by turning off electronic devices, including the television, and enjoy the quiet, or spend time conversing with friends.
4. Enjoy regular social interactions. Research shows that people who stay socially engaged have significantly lower blood pressure than those who are isolated, a major contributing factor to heart disease. Plus, a support system can even help you stay motivated to continue exercising on a regular basis, especially if you’re working out as a group.
5. Get a good night’s sleep. When we sleep, our bodies have a chance to shut down and recover, and our blood pressure and heart rate go down, too. Experts recommend that seniors get at least seven hours of sleep every night to give your heart the break it needs to work strongly throughout the day.

Enjoy a Vibrant, Healthy Lifestyle at Advent Christian Village

Find a variety of independent living options and a vibrant lifestyle at ACV. Take advantage of our beautiful natural surroundings, and enjoy heart-healthy activities like hiking, canoeing, biking and more, as well as a variety of additional services and amenities for stress-free living. Contact us to schedule a tour or to request more information.