Many people know the basics for avoiding health issues such as giving up smoking or cutting back on foods high in cholesterol. But heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and it’s important to take small, proactive steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
It may be unrealistic to make sweeping life changes, but you can resolve to make small steps toward having a healthy heart. Here are a few small things you can do to improve your heart health:
- Take walks after dinner. You don’t need to rev up the cardio immediately when you want to start making lifestyle changes to improve your heart health. Instead, consider starting with daily walks. By walking for 30 to 60 minutes after dinner five to six days a week, you’ll be keeping your heart in good condition and meeting the recommendations of the American Heart Association. Work your way up gradually to harder cardio.
- Keep your saltshaker off the table. Salt is a major problem when it comes to your heart health. Cutting back on salt is one of the best things you can do. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends only 1,500 milligrams of salt a day. That’s less than a teaspoon of salt. If you find yourself adding salt to your meals, consider taking the saltshaker completely off the table. This will help to improve your heart health when you feel tempted to sprinkle it on your food.
- Seek out professional help. Professional heart services can help you monitor any cardiovascular issues you may have. The more aware you are about your current heart health and your risks, the more you can learn about how to take better care of yourself. What’s more, medical professionals can help you narrow down what could be hurting your heart health in your everyday life so you can tailor your lifestyle to improve your health.
Looking for heart services in your area?
If you’ve been worried about your heart health, you’re not alone. Every year, approximately 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States. One of the best things you can do for your heart health is to visit your local heart services center at Carolina East Medical.
By keeping an eye on your heart and taking action to improve your health, you can reduce your risk of heart disease. to learn more about our heart services, outpatient care services, heart surgery options, or MRI imaging, contact Carolina East Medical today.