Focus on one small thing at a time to help you lower your risk of heart disease and improve your quality of life.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking damages more than just your lungs. It hardens the arteries, raises the blood pressure and causes an irregular heartbeat. Find a smoking cessation program and kick this habit.
- Monitor your cholesterol intake. Your body needs cholesterol, which is found in animal foods (meats, dairy, eggs) but eating too much can contribute to disease. Keep your intake under 300 milligrams daily.
- GET MOVING! Physical activity is an important part of a heart-healthy routine. It can also help you to control your weight, lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels. Shoot for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Avoid trans fats. Consuming even a small amount of trans fat can greatly increase your risk of heart disease. Trans fats can be found in foods that contain “partially hydrogenated” oil as an ingredient; trans fat is the world’s unhealthiest fat!