When you are in your 20s and 30s, it can be difficult to notice or care about any health issues that crop up. However, as you get older, you will start to realize that all of those things that once seemed unimportant, such as diet and exercise, are actually essential to living a long and healthy life. This article will explore some ways that you can help keep your heart healthy for many years to come.
- Tobacco: The leading cause of heart disease is smoking. If you smoke, stop now. If you don’t smoke but are thinking about it, don’t start. The sooner you stop smoking the longer you will live a healthy life. Smoking causes damage to the vessels carrying blood around the body. It also increases the risk of developing lung cancer and other types of cancer.
- Alcohol: If you drink too much alcohol it can lead to heart problems later in life. Even one or two drinks a day is considered high-risk for developing heart disease. Alcohol can weaken the muscle tissue surrounding your heart, which increases your risk of developing irregular heartbeat and even failure of the heart muscle itself (which can lead to death). In addition, alcohol can increase blood pressure levels and cause an imbalance in cholesterol levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts you at higher risk for heart disease because it increases your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. Get regular exercise and eat foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium (salt). Limit sweets and refined carbohydrates.
- Eating a healthy diet: Consuming too much sodium (salt) and saturated fats can increase blood pressure and make it harder for your blood to clot.* Eating an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other plant-based foods slows down how quickly food moves through your body, keeping blood sugar levels steady.
