5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Heart Health

Heart disease is the number 1 killer among Americans. But you and your client, family and loved ones don’t have to be part of that statistic! All it takes is a few simple lifestyle changes to improve your heart health.

1) Maintain a healthy body weight

If you already have high blood pressure and are not at your ideal weight, deciding to lose weight is your best bet to protecting. Keep a proper diet and exercise as often as you can! When it comes to exercising, what’s most important is that you keep it FUN!

2)    Shift to the DASH Diet

You may have heard of the DASH diet, which is short for what the American College of Cardiology established as the “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” diet. This diet focuses on boosting the consumption of food groups that are known for lowering blood pressure, rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium. The best foods to eat are fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens and low-fat dairy products. Avoid red meats and processed foods high in empty calories, carbs and sugars, and you’re good to go!

3)    Cut back on salt!

Everyone loves salt, but be aware of how dangerous it can be. The daily recommended salt intake is less than 1,500 mg (three quarters of a teaspoon). Yet the average intake is around 3,400 mg, crazy right?

4)    Limit alcohol consumption

While it may seem crazy to have one drink a day, health experts recommend that women limit alcohol intake to one drink a day, (7 a week total), and that men limit consumption to 2 per day. Be sure to pace yourself when attending a party with friends and family, and make sure you stick to drinks like wine or light ciders that don’t have as much sugar as a cocktail or malt drinks.