If you want to take care of your health, focus on exercise and diet. Learn how to combine staying active and a good diet for better heart health.
If you or someone you know has experienced a cardiac event, you may be wondering how it will affect the future. The good news is that with medication and other changes, you can return to a satisfying life.
The leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. is cardiovascular disease, resulting in over 869,000 deaths per year. However, about 80 percent of heart attacks and cardiovascular events can be prevented through lifestyle changes – especially exercise and diet.
Exercise and Your Health
“As a cardiologist, I always advise my patients to stay active in any capacity they can,” says Dr. Sushan Yang, a cardiologist with the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), most adults should be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. While this may seem like a lot, you can make small and gradual changes until you reach this goal.
Diet and Your Health
If you’re not accustomed to eating healthy on a regular basis, it may be hard to know where to start. “I always recommend the Mediterranean diet, which has been scientifically shown to improve cardiovascular health,” says Yang. The AHA also provides a variety of recipes and resources for people looking to eat a heart-healthy diet.
“I also advise patients to limit sodium intake,” says Yang. “Sodium contributes to high blood pressure and fluid retention. When reducing sodium, look beyond your salt shaker. Prepared meals, processed foods, frozen meals, canned foods, and snacks contain large amounts of hidden sodium. Cheese and deli meats are also big sodium offenders. You’d be surprised by how much salt is in a simple sandwich!”
By combining regular exercise with a healthy diet, you’ll be making significant strides in improving your heart health. Moreover, you may even lose weight by working out and eating healthier. Obesity is a factor in the development of high blood pressure, which is in itself a significant factor in heart disease.
Taking Care of Your Heart Health
It’s important that you take the necessary steps to prevent heart disease, and your activity levels and diet play a big role in this. However, if you start noticing symptoms of heart disease, talk to your doctor right away. “I’d like to add a final reminder not to delay care,” says Yang. “Prevention is as important as ever in maintaining a healthy heart.”
In addition to your diet and exercise habits, you can give your health a boost by taking L-arginine Plus. Its ingredients promote circulation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall heart health. If you’re ready to support your heart health, then start practicing healthy habits and take L-arginine Plus.