Medically reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Shera.
Most people don’t bother with heart-healthy habits since heart issues are considered “old people’s disease”. Though heart issues are more common in the elderly, it is practices introduced during your youth that could make or break your heart-health as you age. So if you really want to be well and kicking in your 60s and 70s, start incorporating some healthy habits into your daily routine from now! Not sure where to start? We’ve put together a list of habits that are easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy (vitamin C is great for your arteries) to follow!
Do not A-Salt your diet!
Excess sodium consumption can lead to high blood pressure as you age. High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. What’s more, not many people are aware of how high the sodium content of some products can be!
Canned, cured, frozen and other preserved foods generally contain high levels of sodium. Such foods, when consumed in excess, raise our sodium levels above what should be the normal daily amount of sodium consumed. So if you want to continue to enjoy good health as you age, don’t be salty, and lower your sodium levels!
Not extra-fries! We said Exercise!
Exercise has more health benefits than this article can contain! But, one of the most important benefits happens to be reduced incidence of heart diseases. To lower your risk of developing a heart disease, start incorporating around 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week in your routine. Also, while we’re at it, put down those fries as well! Tran-fats contained in fast foods such as burgers and fries are known to choke up your arteries with cholesterol deposits! Compromising the supply of blood to your vital organs.
Be Zen!
Simply put, stress is one of the biggest enemies of your heart! There are numerous emotionally induced heart conditions that can turn fatal. Your heart is intricately connected to your nervous system, and intense emotional states can have a huge effect on your cardiovascular (heart system) health. This isn’t just true for middle-aged or elderly individuals either. Even young individuals can be impacted by stress. For this reason, it is important to always keep your cool and find healthy ways to deal with intense emotions.
Your heart beets for healthy food! (Don’t go bacon my heart)
You already know the drill, incorporating healthy fruits and vegetables, and cutting down on trans-fats is bound to have a large impact on your health. This impact is most pronounced when it comes to the cardiovascular system. Eating the right kinds of foods keeps your heart healthy, and your arteries clean. So if you’ve been trying to incorporate more healthy foods in your diet, then you deserve apple-ause!
Stop Smoking or you will be croaking!
Smoking is not only detrimental for your lungs, but can severely affect your heart as well. Smoking causes deposition of a hard substance known as plaque in blood vessels. This hardens the arteries and makes them narrower as well, resulting in reduced blood flow to vital organs such as the heart. This, in turn, can have terrible, even fatal consequences.
Do your part, care for your heart!
Taking care of your heart is important at every age. In fact, the earlier you start the better your chances will be of avoiding serious health issues in the future. The best part is that taking care of your heart is no rocket science. It consists of simple, easy to follow steps that you can incorporate into your daily routine. If you are successful in modifying your lifestyle to one that is more cardio-friendly from early on, your heart will thank you for it later!
References:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-heart-healthy#2
https://www.caba.org.uk/help-and-guides/information/10-ways-keep-your-heart-healthy
