It is never too late or too early to start taking the steps towards a healthy heart. There are many easy ways you can start to be more heart aware now, that will be incredibly beneficial for your heart health in the future. Below we share some simple actions you can follow to improve the health of your cardiovascular system.
Stay Active
Move every day! The easiest way to improve your overall holistic health is by ensuring you remain active. Being active doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym or going for a vigorous run until you’re dripping with sweat. It can be as simple as a leisurely walk around your closest park or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator. The saying ‘use it or lose it’ applies directly to the strength of your heart, if we don’t test its capabilities it can lose the ability to perform adequately. Start today, get up off the couch and get moving.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
When it comes to alcohol, moderation is key. This means an average healthy adult should consume no more than two standard drinks a day. Any more than the recommended amount can increase the risk of alcohol related disease or injury. An excessive amount of alcohol can potentially lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and an increased calorie intake, possibly causing diabetes and obesity. However, red wine, in moderation, has been known to be heart healthy. This is due to the antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols, which may help to protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart and may help to prevent coronary artery disease. If you enjoy a glass of red wine in the evening it may help your heart health, but remember, always in moderation!
A Healthy, Balanced Diet
For an average adult, sitting at the optimal weight range and eating healthy doesn’t mean losing weight. Eating with your heart in mind is all about a balanced and varied diet. It is always good to know which foods are the healthier option, for example, choosing low-fat proteins such as lean meat, poultry and fish allows you to get in the essential macro nutrients your body needs to function without putting your cholesterol levels at risk. Furthermore, opting for foods that are low in sodium and contain ‘good’ fats, such as nuts, avocado and fatty fish, are key to increasing the longevity of your heart health. Eating healthy is a long-term goal, so it’s important to ensure your diet is maintainable yet still fulfilling and delicious.
Manage Mental Health
Mental health can be a sensitive topic for many, however it’s important not only to your heart health but your quality of life to understand your mental health and to look for ways to improve your mood and outlook. Mental health issues such as depression are thought to have an impact on an individual’s heart. Depression itself can be linked as a conventional risk factor to heart disease, linked closely to an unhealthy lifestyle. Furthermore, anxiety and other varying stress levels can cause a rise in hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Simple steps can go a long way in improving your mental state; such as yoga, meditation, finding someone to talk to, whether it’s a professional or trusted friend and ensuring you set aside time in your day just for you.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is a habit that has been thoroughly discussed due to the negative effects on the human body. In regards to the effects on the heart, smoking can do a lot of damage. It can affect the vessels supplying blood to the heart and other parts of the body, this as a result reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, leaving the heart to pump harder and more often. It also affects the lining of the body’s arteries, causing a build-up of fatty material which can then lead to a heart attack, stroke or angina. Taking the necessary steps to giving up smoking can go a long way in bettering the longevity of the heart.
Be Aware Of Your Situation
While it can seem scary to dig into your family’s past, knowing your health history is essential when it comes to caring for yourself and your heart. Whilst it’s important for every individual to take part in regular health check-ups, those who have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure and other heart related issues should be even more aware, and take the necessary steps to manage the risks.
Every little bit counts when it comes to our heart health, Bod Australia has developed an effective, plant-based supplement to help support and maintain your cardiovascular health. Tensiofytol Healthy Heart harnesses the power of naturally derived olive and olive leaf extracts to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Furthermore, Tensiofytol has no contraindications; so it can also be taken as a complimentary medicine alongside any prescribed blood pressure medication. Always check with your healthcare professional. Make Tensiofytol part of your daily routine and just one of the steps to bettering your heart health.
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