As a member of the baby boomer generation, heart health should be one of the top priorities in your life. Since many baby boomers have already been affected in some way by heart disease , maintaining heart health with simple exercise and a healthy diet can decrease your risk of heart-related illnesses for the rest of your life.
Understand The Risks of How You Live Your Life
Understanding your situation is the first step to a healthier and happier heart.
The best way to gain a full understanding of the current status of your cardiovascular health is to see a doctor. They will be able to run a full assortment of tests and inform you of the results. He will also be able to give you an extensive list of tips for staying healthy.
Eat Healthy Foods
Once you’ve gotten an idea of where you are health-wise, eating healthy foods is the next step to take to improve cardiovascular health.
Some foods that should be part of a healthy diet include calcium-rich items, whole grains, lean proteins and food that contains healthy fat. A heart healthy breakfast will likely include oatmeal or some type of whole grain bread, a cup of orange juice and assorted fruits.
Cook the Correct Way
The way you cook your food has a big impact on the health of your heart. Seeking healthy preparation alternatives allows you to make the foods you eat now a bit better for you.
When you need an oil to do your cooking, use canola oil or olive oil. Olive oil is the best type of oil for cooking because it contains a healthy type of saturated fat. If you normally deep fry your foods, try to bake or steam what you eat instead. These two methods of cooking will greatly reduce your risk of having a heart attack later on in life.
Exercise on a Regular Basis
Diets don’t work by themselves when it comes to heart health. The best way to ensure you maintain a healthy cardiovascular system is to exercise on a regular basis.
Walking for thirty minutes a day at a brisk pace is the easiest way to exercise. You can start by walking down to your local store to buy groceries, walking to a neighbor’s house or walking your dog. Increase the amount of walking you do once you get used to the exercise.
If you’re looking for a physical activity that is a bit more challenging than walking, go for a swim at your local country club or community center. Swimming for at least thirty minutes, three times a week is more than enough to improve your heart health.
If you’ve never tried supplements before, now is the time to start a regimen.
The two most important supplements for heart health are fish oil and vitamin C. Fish oil has been known to greatly reduce the risk of heart attack my helping with cholesterol levels. If your doctor informed you that you have high cholesterol, begin taking a daily dose of fish oil. Vitamin C, among other supplements, are great if your diet is lacking in any specific area.