Your heart health is affected by your lifestyle, which includes your diet, your exercise habits and your stress level. Two important factors that may increase your risk for heart disease are your dietary habits and the amount of stress you're under. To take care of your heart and decrease your risk of developing chronic illness, eat right and learn effective ways to deal with stress.
Heart Disease
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer in the United States; however, it is preventable by following a healthy diet and lifestyle. Heart disease has many forms, but the most common occurs when your arteries are narrowed or blocked around the heart itself. This is known as coronary artery disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and your activity level play a major role in the development of heart disease. If you do not change your lifestyle habits, your condition may advance and lead to heart attack, stroke and even early death.
Managing Stress
Stress is a feeling or state where your body is overwhelmed. This happens to everyone and is usually related to work problems, relationship troubles or financial difficulties. Stress is both good and bad for you. Good stress causes you to take action and may even help you meet an important deadline. Chronic or bad stress is stress that lingers over a long period of time. According to MedlinePlus, long-term stress may increase your risk of depression and heart disease. The best way to deal with chronic stress is to address the underlying problem through counseling. To manage daily stress, engage in stress reduction through meditation or activities that relax you. Some good options are painting, reading and exercising.
Eating Healthy
The foods that you eat play a large role in the health of your heart. If you eat a poor diet that consists of large amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sugar, sodium and calories, you will increase your body weight and your risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer. Eat a diet that contains a wide variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods provide healthy forms of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and calories -- essential nutrients your body needs. In addition, eat fish, nuts and seeds, because they contain healthy fats that can lower your risk for heart disease.
Other Recommendations
Your health and your heart are dependent on you living a healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association recommends not smoking; engaging in physical activity and exercise; maintaining a healthy body weight; and controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.
