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It is never too late to improve your heart health. Cardiovascular disease is common and is a leading cause of death in America. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent (and even reverse) some of the risks of heart disease. Here are four heart-healthy habits you can adopt today.
Prioritize Enough Sleep
It is important to allow your body the proper amount of time to reset and heal each night. During the course of an eight-hour sleep period, a healthy sleeper should cycle through the various sleep stages every 90 minutes or so. During Stage N3, sometimes referred to as Delta Sleep, the body repairs itself, specifically the immune system. Although it varies, research recommends between seven to nine hours each night for the average adult.
Detox Your Environment
Though it may seem obvious, removing negativity from your environment will improve your heart health. Daily, seemingly small stressors can have a lasting impact on your mental health which can impact your physical health. Creating a peaceful, zen space at home is one step towards reducing the risk of heart disease.
Keep Active
Blood flow and circulation are improved via activities like yoga, walking, and biking. An active lifestyle helps to prevent a first heart attack and is also part of the recovery process following a heart attack. If heart disease disrupts your life, a licensed physical therapist will work with you to get you back to an active lifestyle.
Consider Your Diet
Beyond an active lifestyle, your diet plays a role in your susceptibility to heart disease. A diet full of fiber-rich nutrients and low in sodium with some healthy fats, like those found in avocados, will aid in keeping the heart clear of blood clots. This will also reduce the strain on aortic functions.
One step at a time, these four habits will have a lasting impact. Making these gradual changes will help you integrate healthy habits for good. If you are in need of physical therapy to help you recover from the effects of heart disease, or want to talk with a licensed professional about ways to implement these heart-healthy strategies, schedule an appointment or call us at 1 (888) – PT-ROCHS today.
