Your heart muscle pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout your body so that all your organs function properly.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
1.
Prioritize Nutrition
Choose nutrient-dense foods toprotect your heart health.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
Swap sugary drinks for plain water, milk, or unsweetened tea.
Talk to a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, for support.
However, you’ve got the option to break that down even further to suit your schedule.
If you don’t have an established exercise routine, try newtypes of physical activity.
(If you’re 200 pounds, that’s a 10- to 20-pound loss).
Eating healthier and moving more both can assist with weight loss.
Sleep Well
Poor sleep can contribute to your cardiovascular (heart) disease risk.
Most adults need seven to nine hours each night.
Speak with a healthcare provider if you still have trouble getting enough sleep.
A medical condition like insomnia or sleep apnea may be affecting your ability to sleep well.
If you smoke, seek help toquit.
Fortunately, there are many resources available.
Some people monitor their daily activity through devices like smartwatches.
Where Heart Medication Factors In
Sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to support your heart health.
A healthcare provider may prescribe medications to maintain or improve your heart health.
Talk to your prescribing healthcare provider if you’re having trouble with the side effects or managing dosing.
They may be able to recommend alternative medications.
However, don’t stop taking any medicines without getting the approval of your healthcare team.
There are various procedures and surgeries depending on the exact heart problem or condition.
Speak with a healthcare provider before making a significant health change, like starting exercise for the first time.
American Heart Association.Lifestyle changes to prevent a heart attack.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Take action toward better heart health: increase physical activity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity: an overview.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sleep and your heart health.
American Heart Association.Life’s Essential 8 fact sheet.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Blood pressure medicines.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Heart medications: the power of a team approach.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Being active when you have heart disease.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Congestive heart failure.
Johns Hopkins.Heart valve repair or replacement surgery.
American Heart Association.Heart procedures and surgeries.
