5 Steps To A Heart-Healthy Life

More than 600,000 people die of heart disease every year in the United States. There are things you can do to reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Here are five steps you can take to keep your heart healthy and avoid heart disease.

Stay Active All Day

If your job requires you to sit for a majority of the day, your weekly exercise might not be enough to keep your heart healthy. Try to incorporate movement into your daily schedule. When you take a break, take a quick two minute walk. If you answer the phone, stand up to hold the conversation. Virtually any additional movement you can add to your daily schedule will help keep the blood pumping to your heart.

Shut Your Body Down

If you're schedule requires you to go non-stop, you may be harming your heart. Your heart needs rest to regain its strength and maintain its health. A good nights' rest and a few naps throughout the week will allow your body the time it needs to shut down and recharge.

Relax

If you can't remember the last time you relaxed, you may be overdue. Spend a few minutes each day relaxing. Find a quiet spot and do some deep breathing. Bring a yoga mat to work and meditate during your lunch break. Relaxing for a few minutes each day will help relieve the stress you're under. Relaxation also allows your body to release endorphins, which can help keep your heart healthy.

Laugh

If you enjoy a good laugh, you're doing more for your heart than you thought. You see, laughing is good medicine. In fact, a good laugh can relax your body, boost your immunity and strengthen your heart by increasing blood flow and helping your blood vessels function better. Do something good for your heart. Go out and have a good laugh.

Lose Weight

If you're overweight, you could be harming your heart. Being overweight is like putting an engine for a compact car into a full-size truck. The engine may move the truck, but it's going to have to work too hard. One study found that obesity increases your risk of developing heart disease by 72%.

You want to keep your heart healthy. The steps provided above will help you live a heart-healthy life style. Be sure to speak to a doctor, like those at the ICE, Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence, about other steps you can take to improve your health and reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

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