Why is heart health important?

A healthy heart is essential for overall well-being. At any age, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. You can never be too old or too young to start taking care of your cardiovascular system. It's true that the sooner you start making healthy choices, the longer the benefits last. However, replacing healthy habits with unhealthy ones to improve your overall health can make a difference, even if you've had a heart attack before. Choosing a healthy diet and exercising regularly are two of the most effective ways to promote heart health. There are several other ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Several factors contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, including the following:

  • Overweight/obesity.
  • Lack of activity (no exercise).
  • Cardiovascular disease is hereditary (especially one of the parents or a sibling).

The good news is that you can reduce your risk by changing your lifestyle. Even if you have a family history of heart disease, you have the benefit of prevention.

The path to better health

Many factors that affect your heart health are entirely within your control. How seriously you take this obligation is entirely up to you. A healthy lifestyle comes naturally to some people. Others will only do so if they have been identified as having a symptom of heart disease, such as high blood pressure or low cholesterol. Keep in mind that the benefits of a healthy heart are well worth the effort, whatever your reason. In fact, your whole body will benefit. Plus, overall good health can help you avoid developing type 2 diabetes, asthma, joint pain, and other chronic diseases and conditions. It may even help reduce the risk of developing cancer. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious meals and regular physical activity improves mood. As a result, you will have more energy and experience less stress. If you're not sure where to start, focus on a healthy part of your life for now. As you feel more in control, add another, then another. Soon you will begin to feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.

Cardiovascular disease affects your mental health.

Another reason to worry about your heart health is that it affects your mental health. According to a recent survey by the British Heart Foundation's Heart Matters journal, 68% of people with heart disease said their condition had affected their mental, emotional or psychological well-being. This influence on mental health is primarily due to the worry and anxiety associated with a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest and the impact these events can have on loved ones. Many people with heart problems worry about providing for their children or spouse. What's more concerning is that 67% of people whose mental health was negatively affected by heart disease said they hadn't told anyone. Not only is maintaining good health essential to avoiding a medical emergency, but it also helps reduce the risk of experiencing the emotional and mental consequences associated with a diagnosis.

Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable but not curable.

Keep in mind that 80% of strokes and heart disease are preventable, even though heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Although it is possible to live with heart disease and often prevent further damage, there is no cure. Once plaque starts building up in your arteries, for example, it won't be resolved by diet and lifestyle changes. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe surgical removal of the plaque, although the primary goal is to prevent further buildup. In addition to a balanced diet and frequent exercise, monitoring your body is essential for prevention. Maintaining regular checkups and communicating with your primary care physician is key, and if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a checkup could save your life. Short, non-invasive screening tests can determine if you have plaque buildup in your arteries or detect indicators of atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm) and other heart problems.

How can I improve my heart health?

You can protect your heart and reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases by making smarter lifestyle choices. Making these small changes can have a significant influence on your heart health and overall well-being:

Follow a heart-healthy diet.

According to the Heart Foundation, by eating more nutritious meals and avoiding bad fats, you can promote heart health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and maintain your weight. Eat more fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, and moderate your salt and alcohol intake.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise has a significant positive effect on your mental and physical health. As the CDC suggests, get 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

Avoid smoking and quit smoking if you are a smoker.

While smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, second-hand smoke is a close second. According to research, the simple act of inhaling tobacco significantly increases the risk of coronary artery calcification. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking if you are a smoker. If not, avoid smokers at all costs.

Consult your physician at least once a year, if not more frequently.

By visiting your doctor regularly, you can take a proactive approach to heart health. Your doctor can monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as your mental health, and can advise you on how to reduce your risk of developing dementia.

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