According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 805,000 heart attacks occur each year, which includes first time and recurring heart attacks. In fact, every 40.3 seconds, someone is having a heart attack somewhere in the United States. These troubling statistics may paint a bleak picture, but there are measures we can all take to prevent heart disease from affecting us.
February is the American Heart Health Month, so we would like to outline a few ways that you can prevent heart disease, improve your heart health, and live a happier, more fulfilling life.
No More Smoking
While the jury isn’t quite out on vaping, it’s a scientific fact that smoking in any capacity is bad for your lungs. Add nicotine and other harmful chemicals to the mix and you have a recipe for poor lung and heart health. When your lungs are damaged, it’s harder to move oxygen through the bloodstream, which in turn means your heart needs to work harder to keep your blood pumping.
Quitting smoking lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, which improves your heart health and makes life easier. You also won’t be spending as much on cigarettes or vape refills, giving you a bit more money in your pocket. We know kicking a habit is difficult, but there are many resources out there to make your journey slightly easier. You’ve only got one body, so take steps to take care of it, even if it’s hard.
Start Exercising More
Speaking of difficult, your heart health is directly related to the amount of exercise you get. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, which translates to just 30 minutes per day. Go for a walk, hike the trails, take a quick run, even do some gardening. Whatever gets your body moving is good for it. The more you move, the more you are taking the burden off of your heart and keeping it in shape. People tend to forget that it’s a muscle and needs to be maintained just like any other part of your body.
Eating a Balanced Diet
This one can be difficult depending on the prices at the grocery store, but a healthier diet goes a long way in keeping your heart healthy and happy. An ideal diet includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, lean protein, and nuts and legumes. Limit your sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. Sodium is a big one and heavily affects your blood pressure, which then impacts your heart. Watch your portions, try to balance out your diet, even a little, and you’ll start to feel the benefits in no time.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is the ultimate form of healing, especially as we get older. Good sleep leads to healing of tissues and blood vessels, a stronger immune system, improved mood and energy, and better brain function. Getting ample sleep helps reduce the risk of heart disease as you are easing the daily strain on your heart by letting your body take a break. If you can, try to get between 7-9 hours of sleep. It will go a long way in improving your heart health and improving your outlook on life.
Keep Your Heart Happy and Healthy
You only have one life to live, so live it well. Take care of your heart and you’ll live a long, fulfilling life. Additionally, taking care of your heart benefits the rest of your body in a variety of ways. Eureka Fire Protection District wishes you a happy and healthy February and hopes some of these tips can help improve your day-to-day life, even if it’s only a little. Take care of yourself and have a wonderful year.
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