Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with a condition such as high blood pressure or you’re simply seeking ways to get healthier overall, one of the best steps you can take to improve your wellness is practicing cardiac care. Although eating well and exercising regularly are crucial, there are also many specific activities you can incorporate into your routine to boost cardiovascular health.

5 Simple Strategies for Improving Heart Health

1. Dance It Out

A full-blown fitness routine can feel daunting if you’ve been sedentary for a while. Exercise comes with ease when it doesn’t truly feel like working out. With the approval of your cardiac care team, consider introducing a daily dance routine. Put on some of your favorite music and just get moving. 

2. Clean Your Space

Cleaning has multiple benefits for heart health. For one, activities like vacuuming, dusting, and scrubbing down surfaces can get the blood flowing. For another, cluttered environments can trigger harmful stress responses, so organizing your space could help keep any tension—and your blood pressure—in check. 

3. Consider Adopting a Pet

Research shows pet owners experience a number of heart-healthy benefits. For instance, they get more physical activity, have lower blood pressure, and maintain better lipid profiles. Consider adopting a housebroken pet who can still accompany you on walks but may not require the extensive training of a new puppy or kitten.

4. Incorporate Bursts of Exercise

Robust cardiac care programs often call for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, five days per week. You don’t necessarily have to block off a half-hour at a time, however. Inject small bursts of exercise into your day by parking far away from store entrances, taking the stairs, and getting up from your desk to take a walk every hour.

5. Schedule Playtime

Like dancing, playtime won’t necessarily feel like a workout, but it can elevate your heart rate and increase your overall activity levels. Incorporate play into your day in whatever method you prefer. Consider playing a game of catch with your children or grandchildren in the park, or challenge a fellow couple to a match on the tennis courts.

When you’ve been diagnosed with a heart or vascular condition, turn to DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, MD, PA in Bergen County, NJ. The practice’s lead doctor, Dr. Leonard DiVagno, has more than two decades of experience providing exceptional cardiac care for conditions such as inflammatory heart disease and peripheral artery disease, among others. Browse through their full list of services online or call (201) 845-3535 to schedule an appointment.