There’s no question that keeping your heart healthy is one of the most important steps you can take to bolster your overall well-being and extend your life span. While genetics often conspire against people with a predisposition to cardiovascular disease, there are some preventive measures that every person can take to help counteract heredity and family history. While you should still rely on your local cardiology center in Suffolk County, NY, when it comes to maintaining your heart health, an ounce of prevention can go a long way.
Taking your cardiology destiny into your own hands means making lifestyle changes that will not only improve your heart health but will also benefit your overall health in many ways. Many chronic diseases share similar risk factors, and by mitigating your heart disease risks, you’ll also be protecting yourself from many other conditions. Keep reading to learn some of the best ways to keep your heart healthy in between visits to your cardiology center.
Eat Smart
Eating smart isn’t just a cliché. For it to be effective, it must become a way of life. What does it mean to eat smart? It means that you avoid the kinds of foods that have been proven to exacerbate cardiovascular disease. Those include fried foods, trans fats, heavily processed foods, excessive sugar, and salt. However, it isn’t just about what you avoid, but what you incorporate into your diet as well. For example, eating a diet rich in whole grains, lean protein such as fish and chicken, and fruits and vegetables can help you fight off weight gain and the cardiovascular disease risk factors that accompany it. It’ll also ensure you get cardioprotective nutrients from your diet that will keep your heart healthy.
Add Color
Adding color to your diet is another step you can take towards better heart health. Foods with lots of color are great for your heart, as the color is representative of nutrients and antioxidants that protect it from oxidative stress. Though green vegetables are great, you need the full spectrum of vitamins and nutrients that come from purple, red, orange, and yellow vegetables as well. Your plate should look like a palette of colors. Cater to your artistic streak and your heart by painting a masterpiece on your plate.
Move More
You don’t necessarily need to join a gym, become a CrossFit warrior, or take up marathon training to give your heart health a boost with exercise. In fact, low-impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or gardening, can have beneficial effects if done for long enough with routine frequency. Of course, more rigorous exercise won’t hurt, as moderate cardiovascular activities, such as biking, rowing, or running, can give your heart health even more of a boost. The important thing is that you move more, whether that means doing yoga for a few minutes a day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to lunch.
Be Well
Protecting your heart isn’t just about your physical state. Your emotional well-being and mental wellness also play a large role in your heart health. Stress is a silent killer, and you must do what you can to mitigate its ill effects. Some effective coping strategies may include meditation, tai chi, or enjoying hobbies. Regardless of what you consider to be your happy place, it’s important that you give yourself time to decompress from work and other stressors to protect your heart.
While nothing can replace the advice and care you receive from your favorite cardiology specialists in Suffolk County, NY, you can play a role in mitigating risks and improving heart health by using these tips. To learn more about the best ways to keep your heart healthy, contact Peconic Bay Medical Center at (631) 548-6000.