Your heart health is an important aspect of your overall wellbeing, particularly when 1.5 million cardiac events occur every single year in the United States. After having a heart attack, adopting certain lifestyle changes is critical to preserving your welfare and preventing another attack from transpiring. To protect your heart health, and promote general wellness, incorporate the following three lifestyle changes.

Top Lifestyle Changes to Make for Heart Health

1. Quit Smoking

Research shows individuals who smoke are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease. Smoking cigarettes has several negative impacts on your cardiovascular health, including heightened blood pressure, a reduction in the oxygen reaching the heart, an elevated heart rate, and damage to the interior of blood vessels. By quitting smoking, your odds of developing heart disease drop and are extremely reduced after two years.  

2. Eat a Balanced Diet 

Your diet is responsible for not only providing fuel for your body, but it also impacts other aspects of your health that can make it more likely for you to have a heart attack, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight range. Make sure you eat a balanced diet that is full of lean protein and dairy, as well as fruits and vegetables, which help the body fight disease. Limit your intake of sugars, red meats, and fats, as these contribute to conditions like obesity and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for heart disease.   

3. Get Enough Physical Activity

Not only does regular exercise improve your mood and help you combat obesity, but it’s also a great way to help your heart get stronger. Because your heart is a muscular organ, getting 30 to 60 minutes of exercise five days a week can help reduce your blood pressure, improve your heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body, and can lower your cholesterol. Start by slowly incorporating regular walks into your day, and you will begin to see the benefits.

Scheduling regular physicals with your family doctor is one of the best ways to maintain your heart health. Lexington Family Physicians works with patients throughout Davidson County, NC, to promote healthier lifestyles and decrease the risk of a cardiac event. In addition to providing the services you need to take care of your family, they also offer heart health tips to promote overall wellbeing. To learn more about these professionals, visit them online or call (336) 249-3329.