Whether you have a heart problem, a family history of heart disease, or you just want to take steps to keep your heart in good shape, there are a lot of things you can do to make your heart healthier. Then, you can focus on maintaining that good heart health for as long as possible, giving you the opportunity for a better quality of life and increased longevity. Working with your doctor is a good idea, but there are things you can do at home and on your own, as well.
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Exercise
Exercise is one of the best and most important things you can do when you want to take good care of your heart. Even if you’re not sure about what kind of exercise you like, or what you should be doing, just moving your body is important. If you don’t like going to the gym, for example, you can do body-weight exercises at home. You also don’t have to run or do HIIT workouts to get cardio value. You can walk, bike, dance, or swim, too.
There are all kinds of ways to get active. Having an active job can help, but if your work is more sedentary, you can get a fitness tracker that will remind you to stand up and get some movement in at set intervals throughout the day. Then, you won’t be sitting for hours while you work, and trying to get all your movements in either before or after work. Moving around throughout the entire day is the healthiest way to protect your heart through exercise.
Reduce Your Stress and Improve Your Sleep
According to Ian Weisberg and others in the medical field, reducing stress and getting better sleep are also both very important for proper heart health. You don’t have to sleep perfectly all the time, or work on never getting worried or upset, because those goals aren’t realistic. But if you aim for eight hours of sleep most nights and work on reducing the stress in your life, you’ll be doing your heart a big favor and helping it stay healthier for the long term.
Eat a Better Diet for Good Heart Health
Dr. Ian Weisberg and others also recommend eating a heart healthy diet full of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. When you limit processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol, you go a long way toward giving your heart the help and support it deserves to stay healthier for longer. You don’t need to be perfect, of course. Just being consistent with taking good care of your body will help keep your heart safe over time.
See Your Doctor on a Regular Basis
Seeing your doctor also results in better heart health, because it helps you catch any problems before they become more serious. If you catch something early, you can focus on treating it right then, before it can become a bigger issue that might not be treated as easily. Keeping your heart healthy is easier with the right support.
