We all know that looking after your heart is important, but we’re rarely told exactly why. The truth is, heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the US, with a staggering 1 in 4 deaths being the result of heart disease—that’s nearly 650,000 Americans every year! Although some heart-related problems are unavoidable, there are so many things we do in our day-to-day lives that can have an impact on our heart health in old age. Here at Prestige Home Care Agency, we understand the impact that heart disease has on sufferers and their families. So, we got to work putting together two lists—5 dos and 5 don’ts to keep your heart health in check!

The 5 Dos

1. Get moving – That exercise is good for your heart is no secret, but many people really do underestimate the positive impact it can have over a lifetime. Even if you avoid smoking and eat a healthy diet, a lack of exercise can still significantly increase your risk of heart disease. Try regularly walking, running, cycling, or practicing yoga to keep your heart happy!
2. Fall in love – Easier said than done, right? Companionship, especially romantic relationships, help keep your stress levels down and allow you to get more done in life as a couple. Besides, studies show that regular sexual activity is a great workout and helps relieve tension that can cause heart problems.
3. Become a pet owner – The crazy cat lady probably has the healthiest heart of all! According to studies, owning pets can be a great stress reliever. If you haven’t already, maybe it’s time you got a four-legged friend to move
4. Drinking tea – Although it contains caffeine, tea also contains catechins that help strengthen your blood vessels. This takes some of the strain off your heart and can reduce your chances of a heart attack.
5. Get some shut-eye – Like exercise, sleep is an essential component of heart health that many people overlook. Adults over 45 who sleep less than 6 hours per night are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. It just goes to show that those early nights can really pay off!

The 5 Don’ts

1. Smoking – As you must be well aware, smoking is certainly one of the leading causes of death in the US. The strain that built up tar has on your heart combined with the other negative consequences of the habit should be completely avoided if you want to keep your heart healthy.
2. Eating fatty foods – Healthcare professionals used to recommend avoiding all fatty foods, but nowadays this has been altered slightly. They now recommend avoiding trans fats at all costs and keeping the consumption of saturated fat to a minimum.
3. Sitting – It may seem strange but sitting for long periods can increase your chance of heart-related issues by 150%. If you can, try to avoid sitting for too long. Get up and walk around regularly if you have a desk job.
4. Getting too stressed – Well, this one is certainly the most difficult to avoid. Stress is a regular part of life, but sometimes it can be really overwhelming. This can have a long-lasting impact on your heart. Try to practice stress-relieving techniques such as meditation and just remember that many things that stress people out aren’t so important in the grand scheme of things!
5. Consuming high amounts of caffeine – Caffeine has a huge impact on your heart, and modern products can sometimes be completely packed with it! Did you know that energy drinks can have up to 5 times the amount of caffeine as regular soda? Try keeping your caffeine intake to a minimum when possible.

As we get older, we start to realize that our heart needs some tender loving care. Follow these simple tips to keep your heart ticking that little bit longer! Here at Prestige Home Care Agency, we understand the importance of keeping our clients’ hearts healthy. If you’re looking for some advice on living a healthier life or would like to enquire about some home care, call us or contact us through our website today.