Three Ways to Maintain a Healthy Heart
Make healthy eating choices:
It is simple things like the choice of foods you eat that can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. The key to a healthy meal plan is to choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. If possible, opt for lower-fat dairy products, less sugar-sweetened beverages, skinless poultry, and less red meat. When eating meats, choose the leanest cuts available.
The foods that make for a healthy meal plan include an abundance of fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, fish (preferably oily fish at least 2 times per week), nuts, legumes, seeds, and incorporating some meatless meals.
Include movement in your day
It is recommended for adults to exercise 2.5 hours per week. It is important to include muscle-strengthening activities that target all major muscle groups on at least two or more days per week. If you are wanting to start an exercise regimen, meeting this goal is possible and is something that can be achieved over time. See our PlayWell Section for exercise tips that the American Heart Association recommends for adults.
Learn about heart health
Even if heart disease does not affect us personally, it is important to be informed about the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke. For each person, signs and symptoms will vary. For example, numbness with a stroke or severe chest pain with a heart attack are not standard for everyone experiencing a stroke or heart attack. It is especially valuable to know that heart attack symptoms for women and men are different.
