As we grow older our daily routines tend to form the habits that we take up for the rest of our lives. Although you may have been a track star in your youth, providing you with ample opportunity to eat whatever you like, this lifestyle doesn’t work as well for your heart health as you grow older.

What you eat and drink, your activity level, how you cope with
stress and other individual lifestyle factors help determine the
health of your heart. Heart disease is a progressive condition
that can start early in life but can also be prevented or controlled by making smart lifestyle choices.

To maintain a heart healthy lifestyle you need to form healthy habits as soon as you can, while maintaining them in your daily routine. Below are some of our recommendations to keep your heart healthy.

Heart Healthy Habits

Stay Active

Exercising regularly can help you lower your blood pressure, increase your energy levels and keep your heart and bones strong. The easiest exercise being, walking. It’s affordable, accessible and simple to master.

Most research studies suggest that from three to five hours of walking a week is the optimum for improving heart health.

If you’re interested in learning about other heart healthy exercises, take a look at some of our other suggestions.

Eat a Heart Healthy Diet

Understanding what types of heart-healthy foods to incorporate into your diet can be difficult if you have never maintained a heart healthy diet. Generally you want to focus on having fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber rich foods and lean proteins, as well as foods that are low in saturated fats, sugars and salts. Here are some of our suggestions on essential foods for a heart healthy diet.

Quit Smoking

Smoking has an even greater correlation to heart disease for women than it does in men. It can be very difficult to quit smoking at any age but it is never too late. Fortunately there are many resources that you can use to help you quit today. Here are a few of resources that we’ve found to help you quit.

Reduce Your Alcohol Intake

Excess alcohol consumption can worsen health conditions that contribute to heart disease, like blood pressure, arrhythmias, and high cholesterol levels.

Have Regular Checkups With Your Doctor

If you have questions or concerns about heart disease or how to live a heart healthy lifestyle, seek advice from your cardiologist or primary caregiver. Your heart is the most important muscle in your body, so it is vital to take care of it!