According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease. There are ways people can keep a healthy heart by following good habits in everyday life. It is important to eat healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, and fish and avoid trans fats which can often be found in snack foods and can increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease over the period of a lifetime. Another part of living a healthy lifestyle that can help keep a person’s heart healthy is getting enough sleep each night. It is recommended by many health care professionals to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep on most nights. Lack of sleep can leave a person at higher risk for heart disease no matter other healthy habits or their age.
People may be surprised when they hear that dental health can be a way to see overall health in the body. Dentists can find other problems going on with someone’s health through dental apportionments and see how someone’s dental hygiene can point to other issues that may be going on in the body. Flossing your teeth daily is great for your dental health but also your overall health. Sometimes people who have heart disease may have the same risk factors for gum disease also called periodontal disease. Staying up to date on dental appointments can help to lead to better overall health.
Read our blog about heart failure here.
Movement throughout the day is important to heart health and it is recommended to avoid sitting for long periods of time. This can be a difficult task when people work at a desk all day and do not have time for much movement. Make an effort to get up and move around a little even if it is right next to your desk throughout the day. Choose movement over other options such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator and exercise each day.
Another thing to do to help keep your heart healthy is avoid smoking as well as secondhand smoke as well. For smokers quitting is not always easy, but it is important to reach out to people for support and give yourself reasons why you are quitting to stay motivated and, on the path, to being done for your health and for your loved ones as well.
Additional Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm#:~:text=Heart%20disease%20is%20the%20leading,can%20lead%20to%20heart%20attack.
https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/keeping-your-heart-healthy
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-things-to-do-every-day-to-keep-your-heart-healthy/
