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3 Tips For Improving Your Overall Heart Health

Heart health is a popular topic of conversation these days. Its popularity is a good thing and a bad thing. The good side of the coin is that people are talking about heart disease and its impact on cardiovascular health more openly. The bad news is that this disease remains the number one killer of men and women in the United States. The truth is with a few simple lifestyle changes, you can help change the tide and impact of this statistic.

A Change in Perception Changes Reality

Many patients who either develop heart disease or suffer from boarder line heart conditions are under the impression that restoring their heart health is a lengthy and difficult process. While the selected treatment protocol may vary by patient, here are three basic steps anyone can take to improve the health of their heart:

Step #1: Kick bad habits. This goes beyond making those heart-friendly dietary changes. There are two habits that contribute to hypertension in particular, they are smoking and drinking. The nicotine from smoking will constrict your blood vessels over time, making it difficult for blood to pass through the heart. This increases the pressure and strain that is put on the cardiac muscle, which eventually damages and enlarges the heart.

Similar damage is caused by excessive drinking. Having three or more alcoholic drinks per day also raises blood pressure and can damage your heart muscle. You can get a blood pressure monitor and track your numbers at home. Results higher than 140/90 require the attention of a specialist.

Step #2: Embrace aerobic activity. No, this does not have to be a high-intensity, fat burning work out session; it doesn’t even need to involve a gym membership. All you need to do is commit to 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week. You will lower your cholesterol and improve your circulation relatively quickly. Yes, walking and yoga both qualify as low-impact aerobic activities.

Step #3: Watch out for hidden salt. Sodium regulates fluids within your body. Your body only needs 500 mg of sodium daily, more than that small amount, and you will start to retain fluid. Water retention puts stress on the heart and effects circulation. Go low-sodium whenever possible.

Top Doctor for Improving Your Overall Heart Health

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.