The Big Ten: Keys to a Healthy Heart

1) Don’t smoke.  There’s no bigger favor you can do your heart–and lungs!

2) Watch your weight.  Even relatively modest gains can have a big effect on your risk of heart disease.

3) Cut down on saturated fats and cholesterol.  This could help prevent high blood cholesterol levels, obesity, and heart disease.

4) Get moving.  Engage in regular physical activity.  A little is better than none; more is even better.

5) Lower you stress levels.  If too much stress is a problem in your life, try relaxation techniques.

6) Know your family history.  Inheriting a predisposition to high blood pressure or heart disease means that your heart needs extra preventative care.

7) Get your blood pressure checked regularly.  Knowing your numbers can alert you to a potential problem long before you develop any symptoms.

8) Tame your temper.  Hostility can be hazardous to the heart.  Look for other ways of releasing anger and frustration.

9) Find out your cholesterol levels.  You can’t know if your heart is in danger unless you know if your cholesterol is too high.  Get a blood test at your next physical, and discuss the results with your physician.

10) Take appropriate medications.  Those with high cholesterol or high blood pressure should seek their physicians’ advice.
 
03/2008 Source: Based on Roizen, Michael. RealAge: Are You as Young as You Can Be? New York: HarperCollins, 2000 - Invitation to Fitness and Wellness - Dianne Hales & Charleen Zartman