Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide? Without a healthy heart, your body is not able to survive. The good news is that most cases of heart disease can be avoided by taking care of yourself. Between living a healthy lifestyle and making changes to your daily routines, you can give your heart the boost that it needs! Here are 4 of the best ways to improve cardiovascular health:
1. Get Plenty of Exercise
Most people don’t know that the heart is actually a muscle. Like the other muscles in your body, it can become weak when you don’t keep it active. The easiest way to explain this is with an analogy. If you have great arm muscles and you don’t lift weights for an entire year, chances are you will lose some of the muscle mass. Well, if you don’t perform the exercises needed to keep your heart healthy, it will become weak over time as well. That is why it is so important to stay active with cardio workouts to keep your heart rate at the desired level.
2. Quit Smoking
While there are many things that can lead to heart disease, smoking is one of the leading culprits. When you smoke, the toxins from cigarettes can directly impact the way that your heart functions. We understand that quitting smoking isn’t easy, but you will be amazed by how much better you feel afterward. Not to mention, your body will be able to perform at a higher level, including your heart. If you are searching for the best strategy to quit, talk to one of our knowledgeable staff members who will be happy to help.
3. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
There are many foods that you can eat that will improve overall cardiovascular health. The key to planning your meals is to include foods that contain various vitamins and nutrients. It’s also crucial to add foods from all the different food groups, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Two of the best foods for heart health are salmon and guacamole. Both of these dishes are high in healthy fats that are good for your heart. The good news is that you can still enjoy some delicacies, including chocolate! In fact, studies have shown that chocolate and wine improve your heart, in small doses of course.
4. Don’t Stress
As important as physical exercise and dieting is to your heart, your mental health is just as essential. When you live in a constant state of fear, anxiety, and stress, your heart begins to suffer. You will notice that one of the first things that happen when you are stressed is that your heart starts beating faster, which can lead to a rise in blood pressure. Over time, these two things can lead to a weakened heart. When you begin feeling stressed, find something you enjoy to relax, such as taking a walk outside or reading your favorite book.
Our Missouri pharmacy is here to help you live a healthy life, which begins by monitoring your cardiovascular health. One of the services we offer at our pharmacy is health monitoring, which includes a constant check on your blood pressure and blood sugar. The best part about this is that these services are free of charge. Stop by today to see how we can improve your overall well-being!
