7 Tips for Better Heart Health
Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer. By making small lifestyle changes, you can drastically improve your heart health.
Quit Smoking.
Breaking free from smoking is the single most important lifestyle change you can make to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and lung cancer. In addition, food will taste better, and you will feel better.
Watch Your Salt.
Eating no more than 2000 mg of sodium each day can help decrease blood pressure. Two slices of bread have up to 500 mg, and one bowl of most breakfast cereals has 600 mg of sodium.
Get Your 150/10,000.
Brisk walking for 150 minutes a week (22 minutes a day for five days) improves heart health. Aim for 10,000 steps a day by parking far away from entrances and taking the stairs. If that’s easy, target 20,000! See what you can achieve!
Go Meatless.
Having more meatless, whole plant-based meals can significantly improve your cholesterol, blood pressure and salt intake. Plant-based diets have also been associated with less heart disease, diabetes, and cancer!
Time Your Medication.
Taking cholesterol medication at night is more effective, because the enzymes in your liver that make cholesterol are most active at night.
Work on Mindfulness.
Using deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, prayer or others ways to de-stress. Facing and neutralizing stressors improves sleep, reduces blood pressure and heart disease, supports the immune system, and helps manage depression and anxiety.
Strengthen the Love in Your Life.
Bringing more love, connection, and support into your life can help you experience less heart disease overall and more happiness!