Easy Heart Healthy Changes for the New Year
With the New Year rapidly approaching, you’re presented with a great opportunity to reflect on life and make some changes that can positively impact your health in 2024. One of the best ways to improve your overall health is to focus on lifestyle changes that will optimize your heart health. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States each year, so focusing on making adjustments to improve your heart health can pay big dividends in the long run. Keeping a close eye on your heart health can be a wise and proactive strategy for a healthier and longer life.
Fortunately, there are a variety of easy changes you can make that will have a significant impact on your heart health. As you set goals for 2024, consider incorporating the following heart healthy changes into your life.
Get More Exercise
Increasing the amount of exercise you get is one of the easiest steps you can take to improve your heart health. When getting started on a new fitness regimen, keep in mind that it’s best to start with a manageable goal and gradually increase your exercise time as your body becomes stronger. For example, committing to a half hour workout four days a week is much more reasonable and attainable than shooting for getting an hour of rigorous exercise every day. Once you settle into this routine, you can begin increasing the duration or frequency of your workouts for even greater benefit.
The secret to sticking with a new workout routine is to make sure it’s enjoyable. Otherwise, you may find that you lose motivation quickly. The following tips will help you establish a fitness routine that will become a regular part of your life:
- Work out with a friend – Having a dedicated exercise buddy will add a social component to your workouts and make it easier to stay motivated.
- Choose activities you enjoy – Swimming is a great full body workout, but if you don’t enjoy being in the pool, you’re unlikely to stick with a swimming routine. Make sure your exercise activities are things you find fun to do.
- Take an exercise class – Exercise classes run by fitness trainers provide structure and ensure you know exactly what to do. This can be a great way to get started if exercise isn’t already a regular part of your routine.
Lose Weight
Approximately two thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese. Being overweight is detrimental to your heart health and can increase your risk of:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
The good news is that even losing a small amount of weight can significantly improve your heart health. Setting a goal of losing 10 pounds can pay huge dividends, reducing your risk of heart disease and other conditions that are harmful to your heart.
The best way to lose weight is to adopt a healthier diet rich in foods that are beneficial to your heart. A great example of a heart healthy diet that can help you lose weight is the Mediterranean diet. In addition, combining a heart healthy diet with increased exercise can make it much easier to shed excess pounds, and you’ll be more likely to keep the weight off long term.
Prioritize Sleep
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one third of American adults don’t get enough sleep. This can negatively impact your heart health in a variety of ways, including:
- Increased risk of high blood pressure
- Increased risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure
- Greater likelihood of inflammation throughout your body
- Greater likelihood of overeating and weight gain
The following lifestyle adjustments can help improve your sleep each night:
- Establish a routine that includes a consistent bed time
- Reduce caffeine consumption, and avoid caffeine entirely in the evening
- Avoid using your cell phone prior to bedtime, as the blue light from your screen can negatively impact your ability to fall asleep
- Sleep in a cool, dark room
- Utilize cozy pillowcases such as silk pillowcase UK
- Visit Direct Outlet Mattress Charlotte to find a premium king size mattress with unmatched support and comfort.
- Reduce alcohol intake
If you’re looking for comfortable beds to help improve your sleep, you may check out these top picks for large entertainment beds.
Prioritize Oral Health
Your oral health can have a significant impact on your heart health. In particular, gum disease has been found to increase your risk of heart disease. For exceptional dental care and personalized treatment plans, trust the experienced team at Total Dental Arts to meet all your oral health needs. When it comes to dental health, many overlook the importance of specialized care. This includes visits to a dental prosthetics lab for tailored solutions, where skilled technicians craft customized prosthetic devices to restore oral function and enhance quality of life. Also, choosing The Brace Place for personal orthodontic solutions can ensure that you receive attention tailored to your specific needs. This can be particularly crucial for those with complex dental issues, where general dentistry might not provide adequate results. Therefore, prioritizing your oral health is an easy way to improve your heart health:
- Brush twice daily
- Floss at least once a day
- Visit your dentist or get in touch with Dr Gabriel Hershman every six months for regular cleanings
Consume Less Sugar
Sugar is one of the most harmful substances for your heart health. According to a Harvard study, drinking one to two sweetened drinks every day increases your risk of a heart attack by 35%. Eliminating sugary drinks from your diet will significantly improve your heart health.
In addition, be mindful of the sugary snacks and sweet treats you eat. Rather than choosing ice cream, cookies and other sugary desserts, try to snack on fresh fruits when you crave something sweet.
South Denver Cardiology Associates Can Help You Make Heart Healthy Changes for the New Year
If you’re looking to make some heart healthy changes in the New Year, South Denver Cardiology Associates can help. We offer a variety of services that will help you implement lifestyle adjustments that will positively impact your heart health:
- Our Medical Fitness Gym gives you an opportunity to work with exercise specialists who will help you develop a customized program to improve your heart health
- Our nutritional consulting services can help you establish a heart healthy diet
- Our medical weight loss clinic can help you develop a customized plan to achieve your weight loss goals
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. South Denver Cardiology Associates serves patients in Denver, Littleton and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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