February is American Heart Month, an observance to drive awareness of heart health in the United States. While there are some contributors to cardiovascular disease that you can’t control or prevent, there’s much you can do proactively to improve your heart health.
Partnering with cardiologist César R. Molina, M.D., FACC, and our team in Mountain View, California, helps ensure you’re doing all you can to take charge of your heart health. With this in mind, we prepared this month’s blog to illustrate five things you can do to support better cardiovascular health.
Blood is your literal lifeline, delivering chemical messengers, fuel, nutrients, and resources that drive virtually every function of your body. Your heart distributes fresh blood via your arteries and returns it to your lungs for an oxygen resupply.
Any interruption or change in normal heart function has the potential to impact your health and, in some cases, threaten your life. When your heart is healthy and working well, you can expect:
You have a substantial say in the health of your cardiovascular system through the lifestyle choices you make.
There’s no great mystery to heart-friendly living. You’re likely already aware of each of the items below. Adopting the attitude of continuous improvement can help you make and sustain the habits that keep your heart online.
Fill your diet with plant-based choices, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Choose healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil while moderating portions of lean proteins. Limiting salt can help lower your blood pressure while reducing processed sugar controls blood glucose levels. Moderation is the key when it comes to treats.
Your body is made to move, and moderate amounts of low-impact activity for 30 minutes or more per day serve your fundamental health. Adding resistance training, weights, and flexibility exercises gives your body an extra health boost.
Every extra pound you carry means additional tissue your heart must work harder to supply. Use the body mass index (BMI) scale to gauge your target weight.
Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes are all interrelated with cardiovascular health. Keep these conditions under control, and you’ll have less trouble with your cardiovascular health. Keep your heart healthy, and these conditions will be easier to manage.
While you can reduce alcohol consumption to a point where it has little effect on your life, there’s no compromise with smoking tobacco or using recreational drugs. Cut these from your life to restore predictable heart health.
Choose Dr. Molina and our team when you need cardiology services for prevention or treatment. Call or click to schedule an appointment today.
