Now more than ever, people are extra concerned with their heart health, wanting to prevent serious incidents and conditions like attacks or heart disease.
Although there’s a lot of medication out there that can help people with heart issues live a healthier life, there are other steps you can take before having to resort to it. Many health experts believe that, unless you were born with cardiovascular issues or are genetically predisposed to developing heart disease, one of the best ways to combat it is with healthy, sensible lifestyle habits. Read more about three of the habits you should strive to practice as much as possible below.
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1. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is a crucial part of human health, and can impact so many bodily functions and processes. When you aren't getting enough sleep or have consistent sleepless nights, it shouldn't take long for you to start feeling lousy in more ways than one. Some may associate a lack of sleep with higher stress levels or brain fog, but it can actually contribute to heart disease as well.
"Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night," wrote experts at the American Heart Association. "Children require more: 10-16 hours for ages 5 and younger, including naps; 9-12 hours for ages 6-12; and 8-10 hours for ages 13-18. Adequate sleep promotes healing, improves brain function, and reduces the risk for chronic diseases."
2. Upkeep Positive Social Interactions
Have you ever felt 'off' or not well when you haven't socialized, talked to, or seen anyone in a long while? That could be an indicator that a lack of social interactions is beginning to weigh on your health. As it turns out, upkeeping positive social interactions with loved ones can make a big difference in your heart health and risk of disease.
"Notably, our study found that women's close friendships, particularly those who had developed to the point of comfort in sharing personal matters, was associated with a lower risk of incident CVD (cardiovascular disease)," wrote Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale, a PhD candidate from Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, who authored a study on socializing and heart health. "Men in this study may have engaged in socialization through competitive activities like playing games, while women may have preferred to socialize by surrounding themselves with others, regardless of what the activities are. These could, in turn, have a positive effect on cardiovascular health."
3. Get Some More Exercise
It's long been known that exercise is one of the best ways to keep your heart in tip-top shape, as it challenges it and can also have more positive effects on the rest of your body. If you're at all worried about your cardiovascular health, you can make a big difference by beginning to exercise more throughout the week.
"Physical activity can help reduce stress by releasing endorphins and other feel-good hormones," says family physician Dr. Evelyn Darius, MD. "Regular exercise can also improve cardiovascular health, boost cognitive function, and help maintain or achieve a healthy weight. Additionally, exercise can provide a distraction from stressful thoughts or situations, allowing the mind to relax and focus on the activity at hand."
