As you get older, it can be easy to stay set in your ways. After all, it’s gotten you so far, hasn’t it? However, this type of thought process can lead to your health spiraling out of control, and this is a greater risk when you are older.
But knowing how to take care of yourself can be tough. There are so many areas to consider, with one of the most important aspects being your heart. The heart is a vital organ; it pumps oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Your heart is responsible for so much that goes on in your body, so looking after it is absolutely vital.
If you would like to keep your heart in tip-top condition, then this post has outlined three of the best tips you can follow to improve your heart health as you get older.
Schedule Regular Health Check-Ups
Early detection and intervention are often the best ways to ensure you live as healthily as possible. A doctor can help identify the risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles. As many of these do not have clear symptoms, it can be difficult to determine by yourself. If any issues are present, the doctor can recommend lifestyle changes or medical treatments to prevent the progression of heart disease.
One type of check-up you can schedule is a healthy heart screening. This can look at your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and cholesterol bloodwork as well as others. Some of these screenings, such as measuring Non-HDL cholesterol, can be difficult to understand as a patient, but resources like this one here can clear up the confusion. A key fact to remember is that non-HDL cholesterol is believed to be a good predictor of coronary artery disease risk, so it is essential to consider what tests your check-up includes.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Your heart must work harder to pump blood around your body if you are overweight. This puts more strain on the heart and increases the amount of bad cholesterol – also known as LDL – and decreases the amount of good cholesterol – HDL. Someone who is steadily at a healthy weight will have a much fitter heart, and this will protect the individual from developing high blood pressure.
Cooking and eating healthier recipes will also mean reducing the amount of saturated fats that you consume. This includes fried foods and processed meat products like sausages, which can add extra calories to your diet and cause weight gain. In fact, it is said that there are nine calories per gram of fat. Consuming too much saturated fat can increase the chance of coronary heart disease developing due to more bad cholesterol in the blood.
Exercise is another factor to consider when maintaining a healthy weight. This will increase the number of calories your body uses for energy, which can either help you maintain your weight or lose weight if you are in a calorie deficit. Your heart muscle will also be strengthened by moderate to vigorous exercise, ensuring blood is pumped throughout your body efficiently.
Quit Smoking (If Applicable)
One in every five deaths is caused by smoking in the US, as stated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Although it can harm almost all organs in the body, it is a major risk factor for the development of heart disease. Smoking can damage the arteries’ lining, which can result in narrowing arteries due to the build-up of fatty material.
Even the occasional cigarette can damage the heart and blood vessels, so this risk is not limited to frequent smokers. However, some people can be put at greater risk, such as individuals with diabetes. The best way to avoid this from happening is to give up smoking. If you choose to quit, you might find that a combination of counselling and medication can increase the chance of you giving up long-term.
If you follow the three tips listed in this post, your heart, and the rest of your body, will thank you as you begin to get older.