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A Healthy Heart for Healthy Living

Your heart is the engine that makes your body run. It’s a strong muscle that pumps blood through your arteries, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell and tissue in your entire body. Keeping your heart healthy is key to enjoying life to the fullest. 

If you’re ready to get heart smart, keep reading for our top tips.

Get Moving

Exercise is a great way to get your heart in shape. It lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, strengthens your blood vessels and helps control weight. Choose an activity that gets your heart pumping but doesn’t put added stress on your joints or back because these can be problematic for people with certain conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis. Walking is an excellent option for daily exercise. It’s low impact, doesn’t cost money and doesn’t require any previous fitness experience or knowledge to start. Although, investing in a good pair of walking shoes will help keep your ankles and knees happy.

Quit Smoking

If you smoke, now is the time to quit! Smoking damages the blood vessels leading to your heart, brain and other body parts. Quitting will improve overall health and lower your risk for atherosclerosis, lung cancer, emphysema and other smoking-related diseases.

Eat Healthy Heart Food

Include plenty of high-fibre foods like oats, wholegrain bread and cereals, brown rice, dried beans and lentils. Eat more fruit and vegetables – fresh, frozen and canned, are all great ways to get your serves. Choose heart-smart fats. Skipping on saturated and trans fats helps lower your risk of heart disease. Including oily fish in your diet helps to increase omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent blood clots from forming in arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Reduce Salt Intake

Salt is a major part of the western diet. It is a necessary mineral, but too much salt can harm your health. The recommended daily amount of salt is 5g, but many people eat double or even triple that amount. The easiest way to reduce your salt intake is to cook with herbs and spices for flavour instead of salt and to cut back on processed foods.

Manage Stress

It’s essential to identify your stressors and then learn how to relax when you feel yourself getting a little overwhelmed. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, taking time to relax can benefit your overall health. It’s important to find a way that works for you. Some people like to meditate or listen to music, while others may prefer going for a walk or spending time with friends and family. Whatever method you choose, ensure it works for you and fits into your daily routine.

Of course, if you have any concerns with your health, you should seek professional help from your GP. Regular check-ups can help with early intervention.