Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and while it seems nothing could be worse than not having a Valentine, imagine going in for your routine appointment with a cardiologist and learning you have heart disease. While genetics play a role, so does your lifestyle. In case you didn’t add “healthier habits” to your News Years’ resolutions here are a few simple lifestyle choices you can do to improve your heart’s health:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Limit your sodium intake to 1,500-2,400 milligrams per day
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques
- Follow an eating style with lower saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol
Heartbreaks, Heart Disease, and strokes all seem frightening—but there are ways to handle and live with them all! While we can’t predict your future relationship status we can tell you the warning factors of Heart Disease; which include:
- Chest Pain or Discomfort
- Heart Palpitations
- Weakness or Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Breath
If you are like us, your still wondering “But what is Heart Disease, and what causes it?” Heart Disease’s official term is Coronary Artery Disease which is caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries that narrows, slows, or just like you after a bad first date, blocks- the flow of blood to your heart. Controllable risk factors of Coronary Artery Disease include:
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High Blood Pressure
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High Cholesterol
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Lack of Physical Activity
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Being Overweight or Obese
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Type 2 Diabetes
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional.