Heart Health 101

A sendentary lifestyle, overweight, a high-fat diet, and smoking are sure to break a healthy heart, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.

Simple Heart Helpers:

Cholesterol control – Excess saturated fat in the diet is a likely suspect when it comes to high cholesterol. Two ways to cut fat:

1. If you like to eat out, stick to one restaurant or fast-food meal per week.

2. At meals, fill up on plant-based foods. Keep meat servings small, and eat fruit for dessert.

3. Substitute fish for meat twice a week; eat more beans, and choose foods low in saturated fat.

Healthy blood pressure – You can control or even prevent high blood pressure with lifestyle. Your best defense is a healthy diet, daily exercise, no smoking and limited alcohol consumption.

Regular exercise – It’s easy to make excuses for not exercising. The fact is, raising your heart rate above its resting rate is key to a strong heart and clear arteries. Healthier cholesterol and blood pressure may follow.

Make it a habit to eat breakfast and take a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day.