Heart disease is, unfortunately, the leading cause of death in the United States, and is mostly an avoidable disease. However, most people do not put much thought into how they can keep their hearts healthy. As you age, it is especially important to pay attention to your heart health. Given that February is American Heart Month, you can help celebrate your heart by following a few of the suggestions below:
Regular physical activity
It is important to get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise in a day. The best exercises to combat heart disease are aerobic exercises, such as jogging, fast walking, or biking. Stretching is also a good way to warm up those muscles! Keep in mind it should not hurt, just gentle pressure. Strength training is another good one, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be with weights; yoga can be a great way to use your own body as resistance.
The above exercises are just some suggestions, find an activity that would interest you! You are more likely to continue the exercise if it is something you enjoy.
Eating a balanced diet
Fresh fruit and vegetables are the way to go! Limit the number of saturated fats, salt, and high cholesterol foods, such as fatty meats. Eating healthy will help keep your weight in check as well. Being overweight puts a strain on the heart, so maintaining a healthy weight for your size is necessary.
Quit Smoking
Smoking puts a lot of strain on your heart. Even second-hand smoke can be a danger to the hearts of your loved ones. If you do smoke, it is time to quit for your heart health as well as the heart health of your loved ones.
Take it easy!
Stress is not good for the heart. You should find yourself a healthy outlet to deal with your stress, such as meditation if you do find yourself stressing. Making sure you get plenty of rest is also vital to living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Talk to your doctor
The above suggestions are just general guidelines for what is generally good habits for the heart. Talk to your doctor to get personalized recommendations for what is best for you!
BlueStar SeniorTech offers many solutions to keep you and your loved ones Safe, Healthy, & Connected. One of these ways to help with your heart health could be the HealthGuard – Senior Safety & Health System. The Healthguard is our finest and most capable family system for Safety, Health, and Connection. It’s almost like being there with Mom. A few of the vital signs it measures are Blood Pressure, Pulse/Oxygen levels, Blood Glucose, Weight Scale, and Body Temperature.
Learn more about how BlueStar SeniorTech can keep you and your loved ones Safe, Healthy, & Connected by visiting us online or call a product specialist today at (800) 300-1724, option 1.
