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February is Heart Health Month so CarePro thought it was only right to draw some attention to heart health! Even though you can’t see your heart, what you do every day determines its health. That is why we want to give you 5 tips to improve your heart health, so you can keep enjoying every day to its fullest! 

1. Exercise 

You don’t need to be lifting heavy weights and going overboard with exercise. Even going for a long walk each day is a step in the right direction! Since your heart is a muscle, you want to strengthen it by doing different types of activities. Work on doing more cardio, lifting light weights and so on.  

2. Quit Smoking 

Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis. The list goes on and on. So, while you quit to give your heart a better chance, you’re also saving your body from all the other trouble listed. 

3. Eat Healthy 

This doesn’t mean you have to eat salads every day. You can eat berries! Use them in desserts, smoothies or as a snack on their own. Berries are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, like anthocyanins, which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to the development of heart disease.   

You can also eat more fish or use fish oil pills to get the omega-3 fatty acids needed. Then there’s leafy veggies like spinach, kale and collard greens which hold minerals and antioxidants that are good for your heart. The list goes on! 

4. Prevent or Control Diabetes 

Heart attacks occur two to four times more often in people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics. Strokes also occur two to four times more often. Working with your doctor to control your diabetes is another great way to aid your heart. 

5. Don’t Stress 

This is easier said than done – we understand. Try meditation or just taking a deep breath or two when things become a little hectic. Exercising also helps you destress and gets your blood moving. Getting good sleep can help lower stress levels as well as finding a little you time for yourself. Mental health severely impacts physical health so it’s important to check in with yourself to make sure you are doing okay. 

Now that you have some simple solutions on how to help make your heart healthier, we hope you’ll put them into action! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.