Cardiovascular diseases are estimated to account for a whopping 17.9 million lives every year. In fact, it’s the leading cause of deaths across the globe. It’s a predictable disease that is heavily contingent on lifestyle choices. In order to live a fulfilling and happy life, it’s time to start putting your health first – and that begins with your heart.
If you’re worried about heart disease and you’re ready to make a real change in your life, look no further than this article. In this blog, we will be sharing eight ways to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Understand Your Risk
Depending on your physical health, lifestyle, and family history, you may be at a higher risk of developing heart disease than others. Therefore, it’s important that you understand your individual level of risk and take the necessary actions.
Get Enough Sleep
Not only should you focus on getting enough sleep, but you should also aim to get quality sleep. On average, adults need seven or more hours of sleep a night. If you struggle to get shut-eye, here are some worthwhile sleep tips.
Cut Out Alcohol and Smoking
There’s nothing positive to yield from alcohol or smoking. Although both activities are inherently social, they can be devastating to your health. Try to quit with a friend or join a support group to make things easier.
Set a Daily Exercise Target
Ideally, you should get a minimum of 40 minutes to an hour of exercise each day. Set yourself a target and work towards this goal. Once you get into a routine, you’ll find reaching your daily fitness targets much easier.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
When you are overweight or obese, you put a greater strain on your blood vessels, and they struggle to carry blood to your organs. If your arteries become damaged or even clogged, this could lead to heart disease.
Go For Regular Screenings
It’s never a bad idea to schedule regular heart disease screenings, especially if you’re someone who is more susceptible to this risk. For more information, we recommend that you read more and speak to your doctor.
Adopt a Healthy Diet
In order to have a healthy heart, you first need a healthy diet. This includes eating plenty of whole grains, fruits, beans, nuts, fish, and vegetables. It also involves cutting out processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, high levels of salt, sugar, and alcohol.
Follow Doctor’s Orders
Last but not least, following your doctor’s orders is absolutely essential. A medical professional is the best person to advise you when it comes to achieving a healthier heart, so make sure to listen to their advice.
At the end of the day, every choice you make matters. It’s time to stop hoping for the best and putting in the work that’s necessary. Healthy habits are easier to adopt than you may think. Start off small and slowly work your way towards your fitness goals. You want your new habits to be as sustainable as possible.
