February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness for heart healthy practices as well as heart disease and stroke prevention. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco products are three basic ways to help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Diet
Consistently eating a healthy, balanced diet will put your best foot forward when it comes to preventing heart disease. Consider limiting processed foods that contain added sugars, and hydrogenated oils and instead opt for whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean meats. You can find foods for a heart-healthy eating plan from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute here: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-healthy-living/healthy-foods
Exercise
Exercise is one of the foundational principles to not just cardiovascular health, but health in any facet. Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout your body. Just like any other muscle, when exercised, it becomes stronger and less susceptible to damage. Physical activity, especially cardio, will help keep your heart in good condition throughout your life and help stave off preventable cardiovascular ailments.
Avoid Tobacco Products
Tobacco products, especially when smoked, can cause plaque buildup in your arteries. This plaque buildup makes it harder for your blood to flow through your veins, and puts strain on your heart. That is why avoiding tobacco products is key when trying to prevent heart conditions. If your heart cannot function properly and push blood through your veins as intended, you could be more susceptible to heart disease and cardiovascular issues.
If you are looking for a cardiologist, Rutherford’s Best Doctors has a network of providers we recommend in the middle Tennessee area. You can view our directory of physicians here: https://rutherfordsbestdoctors.com/
Sources:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-healthy-living/healthy-foods