Did you know that heart health is one of the most pressing concerns in today’s modern society? In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death in American men and women, and African-American patients are often more susceptible. In 1963, President Johnson officially declared February heart health month to help raise awareness for heart disease. However, records of heart complications such as heart attacks dating back to 1912. Today, we have over a century of medical experience and technological innovations that have helped us improve the treatment and prevention of heart disease. In honor of heart health month, we’ve compiled a list of a few lifestyle changes that you can make this year to help improve your heart health and help you prevent the development of heart disease.
Be active. Nothing can get your heart pumping and your blood moving like a good workout. The most important thing to keep in mind when starting a new exercise routine is that consistency is key to developing a healthy habit. Any exercise that gets your body moving is going to help improve your health to a degree, but the best exercise is the kind that works best for you. Talk to your doctor about different exercise options for your body type, interests, and physical ability so that you can help find the type of exercise that is right for you. Often patients are turned off to exercising because they’ve never experienced a type of exercise that they enjoyed. Fortunately, there are many different types of exercise that can help you achieve your health goals while having fun. Whether you enjoy a more high-impact, intense workout such as that of CrossFit or you prefer something more low-impact such Zumba, yoga, or even just a light jog around your neighborhood, there are many options when it comes to your exercise routine.
Consider a more heart-healthy diet. In today’s day and age, there are many different types of diets on the market, but not all are healthy for your heart. While some offer the ability to lose weight or help you gain muscle, they may not be giving you the proper nourishment your body needs. It’s important to keep in mind that many specialty diets require certain types of exercise to accompany them in order to achieve results. That being said, we recommend establishing a heart-healthy diet in addition to being active this year. You will want to talk to your doctor about any specific diet recommendations if you struggle with high cholesterol, blood pressure, or other hereditary factors that can impact your heart health. This is important for those who have any special food allergies or aversions as well. Remember that your body functions best when you give it the appropriate fuel!
Quit smoking. In addition to improving your diet and exercise routine, it is important that you’re treating your body with the proper respect it deserves for the work that you’re putting into keeping it healthy. Smoking can be a nasty habit and a hard one to quit, but we are here to support you through each step of your journey. We offer many services that can help give you the tools you need to be successful in this step of promoting heart health.
If you have any questions about your health, or if you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss additional ways to improve your lifestyle and promote heart health, contact Transform Your Health, PLLC today.
