The quality of your heart health directly affects your ability to function optimally, breathe and move efficiently, and live day-to-day without chronic pain. Taking active measures to maintain your heart health and to prolong its existence is crucial and should be a goal that is proactively pursued. Because the devastation of heart disease, heart attacks, and other heart related illnesses are affecting more women each year, having an increased awareness of your own health can be one of the most effective tools to use in avoiding these problems. Additionally, with a healthy heart on your side, you can feel more confident and in control of your health and give yourself a chance at a longer life. Here are some ways in which you can proactively take control of your heart.
Eat Right Everyday
Certain food groups have been proven to build heart health by supplementing bad cholesterol for healthier fats. Primarily, food that is rich with omega-3 fatty acids are an excellent option to introduce in your diet. These healthy fatty acids have been shown to reduce potentially threatening inflammation surrounding the arteries nearest to your heart, which ultimately enables your heart to work more efficiently and with less strain. Foods with these coveted omega-3 fatty acids include:
- Tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, and peanuts)
- Fish (salmon, tuna, and sardines)
- Soybeans
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Wild Rice
A good rule of thumb with omega-3 fatty acids is to focus on consuming raw food that hasn’t been processed in any way. Often, this natural sustenance is much healthier for your heart and more effective at getting you the nutrients you need.
Another nutrient to look at is antioxidants. While these nutrients are also significantly beneficial to your skin, your heart is another beneficiary of implementing them into your diet. Because they work to reduce inflammation of blood vessels, many health professionals recommend a daily serving in the form of fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants can also effectively eliminate plaque that exists in the arteries which enables them to stay clear and work more efficiently. Here are some well-known foods that are rich in antioxidants:
- Blueberries
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
Be Romantic
As more research has been completed to show the positive effects that sex can have in a person’s life, it has come to light that romance can increase overall heart health. First, participating in sex is generally shown to make people happier and more at ease. Second, it can actively work to reduce your blood pressure which can directly affect how susceptible you are to acquiring heart disease. Part of being aware of your heart health is understanding which activities you can do that provide positive and healthy reinforcement. Being a romantic is certainly one that fits into this category.
Move and Exercise Regularly
Exercise is an incredibly surefire way to maintain heart health through staying active, upbeat, and young. Cardiovascular exercise in particular, is an activity you should engage in for 30 minutes at least three times a week. Activities such as swimming, tennis, running, and aerobics can all provide intense cardiovascular exercise and build your heart health.
Additionally, make an active effort to stay moving despite everyday life. Even on the days you can’t find the time to exercise, try walking from the office building to your car, walking your kids to school, or even doing a few jumping jacks at your desk. Because studies have shown that complete immobility can greatly reduce the quality of life no matter a person’s weight, it is crucial that you stay moving all of the time.
Through your decision to incorporate these tips into your daily routine, you can effectively raise awareness of women’s heart health while proactively working to maintain your own. The more aware women are of the condition of their hearts, the better equipped they will be to keep them healthy and happy.