5 Disciplines That Can Keep Your Heart Healthy

Studies state that 70% of heart disease can be averted with the right lifestyle regime!  Statins only reduce heart disease by 25 to 30% so it’s better to focus on the healthy lifestyle.

There are MUST habits one needs to make as disciplines in their lifestyle to try and prevent heart disease and keep heart healthy.  We all know that smoking, not exercising, weight gain, eating nutrient deficient and drinking too much alcohol will set the stage for artery issues and deteriorate one’s heart health. So why would a person develop these habits? Is it that most people do not think about the long term health issues that their actions are contributing to? Is it that they cannot commit to the MUST habits and just have the mindset that they SHOULD develop these healthier heart habits? Eliminate the SHOULD mindset and adopt the MUST mindset.

It’s never to early or late to start incorporating these five discipline to protect your health, arteries and make you feel better.

1. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Smoke from cigars or cigarettes are bad for your heart, arteries and lungs. The smoker may not realize the long term ill effects since at the moment of smoking they may not be experiencing any health issues. Figure out why one smokes is key to breaking the habit. Some smoke to relax and breath deeper so they smoke and inhale. Second and third-hand smoke is also toxic to the ones around you. Someone once explained smoking and not thinking you are going to get ill from it as a person blindfolded trying to cross a four lane highway…they may make it across without getting hit and then they may not. Are you willing to take that chance that you may develop heart disease, emphysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) lung cancer, throat cancer,  and your quality of life. Alcohol consumption should be in moderation and not get out of control because it can have a negative effect on heart health.
2. Get moving with an exercise routine. Being physically active for at least 30 minutes daily is like magic for your overall heart health.
3. Aim for healthy weight and manage it in a healthy manner. Carrying extra weight, especially around the belly section, strains your heart and can make you vulnerable to diabetes. Losing 10% of your current weight can make a positive difference in your blood sugar and blood pressure.
4. Enliven your food regime with low glycemic fruits and vegetables from all colors of the rainbow. Reduce or eliminate fast foods, junk foods, processed foods, salt, unhealthy fats, artificial anything and sugar is a great start to cleaning up one’s food intake. Replace bad food choices with health, whole foods.
5. Deal with stress as managing stress is good for heart health and overall mental state.   Is stress becomes unmanageable then it can lead to elevated blood pressure, chest pain, heart disease, and irregular heartbeats. Depression is linked to heart disease as well so learn to incorporate daily stress strategies and seek support for stress and depression.

These five disciplines are an investment in your health, lifestyle and quality of life, both now and long term.

Tags: Heart health