Healthy habits for a healthy heart are not much different than they were 20 years ago and they will probably be the same 20 years from now. An ever increasing number of people are realizing the long-term effects of poor diet, little exercise and poor lifestyle choices on heart health. With this realization, they are making positive changes that will positively affect their heart, their health and their overall well-being for years to come. Being healthy is a habit that can be learned.
Exercise
The first indication that a sedentary lifestyle might be dangerous came from a research study by Jerry Morris, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He examined the health of employees working on double-decker buses in London. He found that the drivers, who sat all day, had more heart attacks than the conductors, who spent their day climbing up and down the stairs to collect fares. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in and emphasis on regular exercise and its positive effect on the heart. Make a habit of exercise such as walking, jogging, or riding a bike.
Learn Yoga
People from all walks of life have discovered the benefits of yoga. Yoga teaches relaxation and breathing control through a series of positions that exercise virtually every part of the body. In some communities, special yoga classes are taught for the elderly, women who are pregnant, and middle-aged, out-of-shape individuals wanting to make life changes. Yoga fosters relaxation and improves endurance and strength, which are beneficial for heart health.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
One disadvantage of being overweight is that the heart must work harder to carry a greater load. This also increases strain on the spine, the hips, knees and ankles, which in turn increases the likelihood of injury. Overweight people tend to exercise less and they become breathless more quickly, which makes the lungs and heart work harder to oxygenate the cells of the body. Swimming is a particularly good exercise for them because water supports a person's weight while exercising several muscle groups.
Don't Smoke
Everybody knows that smoking can cause lung cancer, but not everyone realizes it causes heart disease as well. The more a person smokes, the greater the risk. The nicotine in tobacco smoke increases the heart rate and raises blood pressure, while the carbon monoxide minimizes the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. The heart has to work harder to transport a less amount of oxygen. Quit smoking--the sooner the better.
