Keep Your Heart Healthy
Heart disease is the number one killer today. Men and women areboth likely to become victims. Men typically suffer more heartattacks, but womens can be deadlier, so it is important forboth genders to monitor their heart health by making a number ofsimple lifestyle adjustments.
1.Eat smart. The American Heart Association and other healthorganizations, as well, publish guidelines for sensible dietsthat promote heart health. Get a copy at their website or askyour doctor to recommend a diet for you. Typically, you shouldtry to limit your consumption of red meat to perhaps a fewounces once or twice a week. Cook chicken and fish in casseroledishes instead, and experiment with vegetable recipes to try newand exciting variations. Dont forget the raw veggies withlow-fat dip and fresh fruits for desserts or snacks.
2.Watch your fluid intake. Most of us dont drink enough watereach day. Unless you have special medical restrictions, aim tohave eight glasses (eight ounces each) of water daily. Inaddition, you can drink other beverages, but avoid sugary,nutrition-less products like pop or sweetened fruit juice. Oneor two cups of tea or coffee are probably all right, but keep inmind that caffeine can dehydrate you and make you jittery, solimit your intake.
3.Get daily exercise. Your doctor can recommend a hobby,routine, or workout that will benefit your physique and health.Walking at a moderate pace for 30 to 60 minutes daily is a greatway to incorporate aerobic activity in
your lifestyle, tonemuscles, and enhance your metabolism. Your circulation willthank you, too, as it becomes more efficient at pumping bloodthrough your body and breaking up plaque buildup in yourarteries, thus allowing your heart to pump more easily. Just besure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and dont overdoit. Let your doctor know if you experience shortness of breathor painful limbs.
4.Learn to manage stress. Everyone experiences stressfulevents throughout their day. From getting up late to missing thetrain or having an argument with a family member, stress is allaround us. We just have to learn to keep conflict anddisappointments in check by reminding ourselves of the blessingsand joys that surround us, often unnoticed. You may want to keepa journal to write about negative feelings instead of keepingthem bottled up inside, where they may eventually explode.
In addition, cultivate a good support group of friends, familymembers, and social contacts. Get out and have fun. Meet newpeople and discover new ideas. Life will become more enjoyable,and your heart will benefit from your upbeat attitude. Considervolunteering in your community to make a difference in the livesof others. As you make new connections and continue to nurtureold ones, you will feel healthier and benefit from a positivelifestyle.
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Get valuable information for your heart at The Heart Directoryat http://www.heartdir.com
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