Diseases that affect the heart are responsible for thousands of deaths every single day. In the United States alone, more than 600,000 people die of heart-related illnesses every year. Among the most common reasons why people develop heart disease include unhealthy habits, not exercising regularly, and eating diets that are devoid of much needed vitamins and minerals. It's also worth mentioning here that as you grow older, the risk of developing a heart disease also increases. And in some instances, you will be more susceptible to the condition if you come from a family with members who suffer from heart illnesses.
1) Learn more about your blood pressure and keep it under control. Whether you have low or high blood pressure, it's not healthy. If your blood pressure keeps on fluctuating, this can aggravate your heart causing it to weaken and slowly lose its ability to function properly. It's advisable that you get a blood pressure test kit. It is readily available in most medical stores.
2) Exercise on a regular basis. This is one of the most effective ways on how to keep your heart strong and healthy. With good exercise, your heart and the veins and arteries that connect it to the rest of the body are kept fit. Exercise helps prevent the development of fat deposits that can clog the heart, veins, and arteries.
3) Quit smoking. It's already an established fact that smokers are exposed to a greater risk of developing heart disease. The heart is the second organ after the lungs that suffer the most when you smoke.
4) Get tested if you have diabetes. If you do, you have a much bigger risk of developing heart problems. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you need to take medication to control the sugar levels in your body and minimize the negative effects of diabetes on the heart.
5) Learn more about the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in your body. Monitoring these enables your doctor to come up with effective ways on how to keep your heart and body healthy.
6) Add more fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Your diet plays a very important role in keeping your heart healthy. Basically, you need to stay away from processed foods, fatty foods, and sugary foods.
7) Track and maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is more than what you should weigh based on your age and body type, then you have a higher risk of getting a heart illness. With that said, you need to monitor your weight.
As the popular saying goes, prevention is much better than cure. Don't wait for your heart to start breaking down before you start taking measures to protect it. The practical tips discussed above are all you need to make sure that your heart is always healthy. Of course, it's advisable that you regularly visit your doctor for check-ups especially if you start feeling the symptoms of a weakening heart.