It’s common knowledge that regular exercise and a healthy diet are the pillars of heart health, but there are smaller yet still powerful ways to boost cardiovascular wellness every day. Even subtle tweaks most people don’t associate with the heart can be important to preventative care. In honor of American Heart Month, here are a few simple changes you can make for your health this February.

5 Daily Practices to Boost Heart Health

1. Floss Every Day

When plaque accumulates along the gum line, there’s a greater chance it will make its way into your bloodstream, too. Because plaque is a primary offender contributing to cardiovascular disease, it’s important to combat it from every angle. Flossing eradicates it from your gums and minimizes risks for periodontal disease, which is a suspected precursor to heart disease.

2. Stand up & Move

Regular exercise is an important component of any preventative health care plan, but it may not be enough to combat damage caused by long periods of sitting each day. If you have a desk job, make a point to stand up regularly. Long periods of sitting increases risk of cardiovascular disease, which is likely due to the body’s decrease in metabolism. Get your blood flowing by standing up and stretching or walking, even briefly, every 30 minutes.

3. Take Time to Unplug

Most people spend hours each day looking at screens—their computer monitors at work and smartphones the rest of the day. While this is simply a way of life in modern times, it’s also important to balance this tech time by unplugging. The constant influx of news and social media updates can create stress, so be sure to take time away by enjoying relaxing hobbies, such as listening to music, meditating, or reading.

4. Choose Healthy Fats

To boost heart health, preventative care physicians often recommend avoiding trans fats found in processed foods as well as limiting saturated fats in most meats and full-fat dairy. This doesn’t mean you should steer clear of fats altogether, though. Foods like avocados, nuts, and extra virgin olive oil are high in omega-3 fatty acids, the type that can help lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

5. Avoid Secondhand Smoke

You already know to avoid smoking, as tobacco use is linked with a significant number of health risks, including heart disease. But secondhand smoke should also be avoided, as exposure to smoke can raise blood sugar and increase heart disease risk even in nonsmokers. Avoid environmental smoke whenever possible, and encourage loved ones to give up the habit for the sake of their own preventative care.

In addition to making important lifestyle changes to boost heart health, you can maintain a comprehensive approach to disease prevention by visiting your doctor for regular checkups. As Dothan, AL’s trusted primary care center, Fairview Clinic offers a broad range of preventative care and disease management services to help you optimize your cardiovascular health. Contact their office online or call (334) 794-3192 to schedule an appointment.