September 29 is World Heart Day, a day focused on raising awareness for heart health. Your heart works constantly throughout your life to keep your body supplied with oxygen and nutrients, allowing you to do everything you love doing. Your doctor would like you to pay it back by following these heart health care tips in your daily life.

Guidelines for a Healthy Heart

Exercise

The average healthy adult needs to exercise several times each week to maintain their health. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise, or some combination of the two each week.

Eat Well

A heart-healthy diet is a well-balanced combination of vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, lean meat, and some dairy. In particular, look for nutrients which benefit your heart, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, Magnesium, potassium, and folic acid.

Schedule Regular Wellness Exams

Routine visits to your health care provider help track your health over time and provide tailored recommendations for staying happy, fit, and healthy. How often you should visit your doctor varies by your age and individual risk factors, so talk to your doctor about a schedule which is right for you. In general, most adults should see their doctor every one to two years.

Monitor Your Health

If your doctor has concerns about your heart, there are ways you can more closely track your vitals even at home. Hillside Family Medicine has a take-home blood pressure monitor and Holter monitor or in house EKG machine available as ordered by your provider for additional testing.

If you need a wellness exam, contact Hillside Family Medicine in Anchorage, AK, for an appointment. Their award-winning office has been serving the residents of Anchorage County for more than 20 years, and their doctors and trained medical assistants provide a wide range of health care services, including access to their in-house lab for testing. To get started, call them today at (907) 344-0200, or send a message online.