Maybe you want to start meditating to combat stress, or perhaps you’re determined to only eat organic foods. Whatever your New Year’s resolutions may be, some of them likely focus on improving mental or physical well-being. When finalizing your plans for a happier and healthier you, don’t forget to factor in heart health. This organ is the battery that keeps your body going all day, every day. Resolve to undertake these measures in the year ahead to keep it in good working order. 

3 Resolutions to Improve Heart Health

1. Enhance Your Exercise Routine

Exercise supports a healthy cardiovascular system in many ways. It supports lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and promotes proper regulation of blood sugar. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is important since obesity is a critical risk factor in heart health. Whether it’s a group aerobics course or swimming solo, find a means of physical activity you enjoy — this makes you more likely to stick with it in the long term.

2. Adjust Your Diet

Incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and cut out processed foods, which are high in hydrogenated oils and salts — two ingredients that put you at risk for high blood pressure. Berries are full of phytonutrients, which are associated with a decreased risk of heart health issues, while red, yellow, and orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes have heart-healthy carotenoids. The American Heart Association provides detailed dietary guidelines to help you make nutritious choices.

3. Check Your Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Cardiac screening plays a valuable role in prevention. If your cholesterol levels are unhealthy, for example, lifestyle changes like those described above can lower them. In more serious instances, your doctor may prescribe medication. Such measures can only be implemented once you have an informed baseline of your current heart health.

DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, MD, PA can assist you with your heart health screening needs in Rochelle Park, NJ. Working together with Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, they guide patients through the process of essential diagnostics from stress tests to echocardiograms. At the head of the practice’s team is Dr. Leonard DiVagno, a professional with over 20 years of experience. Their website provides a full overview of their cardiovascular services. For an appointment, call (201) 845-3535.