How to Have a Healthier Heart in 8 Easy Steps

If you take care of your heart it will take care of you. While this advice may not prevent a heart attack or cardiovascular disease it will help to reduce their effects and improve the overall condition of your heart.

If you suffer from heart disease please discuss the following with your doctor prior to making any changes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Choose whole grain bread over bleached white bread. Start your day with whole grains and green tea. There have been several reports lately embellishing the dramatic health benefits of both.

Step 2

Eat foods that are high in potassium for their heart benefits.

By eating foods rich in Potassium. Potassium you help your body regulate blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing hypertension.

Step 3

Cuddle with kitty

People who own a pet, especially a cat, are less likely to die of cardiovascular diseases. It is believed that cuddling with the family cat helps to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as increase feel good endorphins that naturally lower blood pressure.

Step 4

Increase your Vitamin D intake.

Studies show that those with a lower Vitamin D intake had twice the risk of a fatal heart attack.

Better yet, spend some time outdoors... Exposure to the sun causes your body to manufacture it's own Vitamin D naturally. But avoid being outside unprotected between the hours of 11am and 4 pm as that is when the sun's harmful UV radiation is at it's peak.

Step 5

Choose some foods or drinks for their antioxidants

Antioxidants are known to reduce plaque and increase blood flow as well as help rid the body of "free radicals" that can harm both our bodies tissues and organs on the cellular level.

Step 6

Exercise is essential for heart health

Exercise to increase your heart rate. 45 minutes of a cardiovascular workout 5x a week is recommended for optimal benefits. Those with exercise intolerance still need exercise but should not do more than they can physically tolerate.

Step 7

Wherever possible try to reduce or eliminate stress in your life
Stressors increase your cardiovascular risk by it's direct vasoconstriction action on the body.

Some degree of stress is inevetable and healthy but excessive stress can and does do damage.

Step 8

Believe it or not healthy teeth and gums makes for a healthier heart!

Take care if your teeth and gums. People with gum and dental disease are more than twice as likely to have a heart attach as those who care for their mouth.

Comments (1)

Carl Benjamin said:

	... Another well written article. You put me to shame. By the way, welcome to our soon to be growing fast little site.
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August 05, 2009
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