5 Simple Ways To Improve Your Health

Everywhere we look, we are always told how to keep ourselves healthy, whether it’s the type of food in our diet, how much alcohol we consume, or even how much physical activity we should do – there is information everywhere. But if you want to improve your health there are five simple ways to do it that benefits your whole body, especially your heart.

#1. Diet

Our diets are one of the most important factors when it comes to staying healthy. Eating a healthy balanced diet packed full of nutritious meals, fruits and vegetables is a key element in keeping your body healthy not only does it reduce the risk of weight gain, high blood pressure, and diabetes but it’s paramount in reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Eating the correct amount of portions of each food group is ideal to prevent overeating. A handful of fruit and vegetables, a small amount of unsaturated fats, a portion of protein from meats, carbohydrates, and some dairy products is the perfect option.

- Advertisement -

#2. Small changes

As well as eating a healthy balanced diet it’s a good idea to make a few positive changes. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can help prevent any health problems. A large intake of salt in our diets can lead to high blood pressure which in turn can result in coronary heart disease. Choosing the right fats in your diet is also beneficial. Saturated fats can be the reason behind high cholesterol another cause of coronary heart disease, so it’s essential to stick to unsaturated fats.

#3. Smoking

It’s proven that smoking has an enormous impact on the entire body and not in a positive way. Smoking can be the leading cause of many health problems and cancers but are significant in the risk of you suffering from a heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease. Smoking can damage the arteries within the heart causing a build-up of a fatty substance, making the arteries narrower, leading to cardiovascular diseases.

The heart has to pump harder due to the carbon dioxide reducing the level of oxygen in the blood and beat faster as the nicotine causes the body to produce adrenaline, raising your blood pressure level and the possibility of blood clots.

- Advertisement -

The overall effects of smoking mean that the heart has to work much harder, and the strain means it’s likely that your heart health will suffer. If you are a smoker, the biggest thing you can do to protect your heart is to quit.

#4. Exercise

Taking part in physical exercise is the ideal way to reduce the risk factors of developing cardiovascular diseases. Participating in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day helps to reduce body weight, it can affect cholesterol and lower blood pressure levels, resulting in less strain on the heart. As our tolerance for exercise rises, the body’s ability to breathe in and use oxygen improves, as does the blood flow around the body and the strength of the blood vessels.

The more physically active we are, the stronger our hearts become, resulting in less chance of developing future problems.

#5. Drinking

Alcohol, like smoking, can be the primary cause of many health problems within the body and again has an impact on the body’s hardest working muscle, the heart. Alcohol weakens the heart’s muscle making it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body, and if you binge drink, it can result in heart palpitations. Alcohol also causes high blood pressure meaning you’re more likely to suffer from a stroke or heart attack. The long-term effects of alcohol on the heart mean that you’re at risk of developing heart disease, so if you do drink alcohol its best to stick to the recommended guidelines.

If you’re ready to make changes for a healthier future or are currently suffering from any cardiovascular health problems and need any further medical advice, or would simply like a check-up then why not contact experts. Professional personalized services such as these can provide the latest expertise in cardiovascular medicine, so you can be sure you’re in the safest of hands.

- Advertisement -

Comments are closed.