Easy Ways to Reduce your Risk of Heart Disease

Easy Ways to Reduce your Risk of Heart Disease

As anyone studying online doctoral nursing programs will know, heart disease is one of the biggest killers of our time. According to the World Health Organization, heart disease and other conditions which fall under this umbrella are the leading cause of death in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia, killing 11% of their adult population.

Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your risk of contracting heart disease. And, it's never too late. Even if you've lived an unhealthy lifestyle so far, making the following changings can cut your risks and help you to live a longer, healthier life.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease so if you are a smoker, stop now. Many people falsely assume that if they have been smoking for many years, they might as well carry on as it's too late to stop. This isn't the case. While it's better to stop sooner, it can be hugely beneficial to your health to stop at any time.

Passive smoke can also be a problem, even to non-smokers with limited exposure. So, try to avoid smoke filled spaces like outdoor smoking areas and ask friends or family that smoke to do it outside.

Exercise

It's also never too late to start exercising. If you are overweight, unfit, or have pre-existing injuries or conditions, start slowly with some gentle walks and ask your doctor for advice on increasing your activity levels.

Regular exercise will help boost your circulation and keep your heart healthy, help you to maintain a healthy weight, and make you feel better.

Eat Right

Eating a healthy diet is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from heart disease. Eating an unhealthy diet can lead to weight-gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stress, diabetes, and poor circulation, all of which affects your chance of developing heart disease. Try to reduce the amount of saturated fat and sugar you eat while boosting your intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Try to eat plenty of high fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy options and lean meats.

Watch your Cholesterol

Cholesterol clogs your arteries and makes it difficult for your blood to get around. This can eventually lead to heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks. For many people, simply eating well and exercising should reduce your cholesterol levels, but get yours checked to make sure as some people need medication to help. If you are interested in learning more about how cholesterol affects us, consider studying a healthcare course such as a BSN to DNP online from Regis College.

Control your Blood Pressure

High-blood pressure is another leading cause of strokes and heart disease. To reduce yours, maintain a healthy weight, eat well and exercise, but also reduce your stress levels and the amount of salt you eat.

The best thing about these lifestyle changes is that they won't just lower your risks of heart disease they will also help to protect you from a huge range of different illnesses. Heart disease in many cases is completely preventable, so start making changes today to significantly reduce your risks.