5 Tips to Improve Your Heart Health
“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States.” Dr. Vicky Findley, Medical Director of Volunteers in Medicine, Jacksonville.
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States. Here are some tips on how to keep your heart healthy.
Exercise regularly 30-40 minutes 5 days per week
Make sure to choose something that you enjoy. This should be fun, not a chore.
Exercise with a friend. It will encourage you on the days that you just don’t want to get off the couch.
Listen to music or a podcast while exercising.
Talk to a friend on the phone if you are walking. This will make the time fly by and you will walk for a longer time.
Eat a Heart Healthy Diet: Try out new recipes that are high in fiber and low in cholesterol. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good choices.
Avoid All Tobacco Products and Secondhand Smoke: call Volunteers in Medicine at 904-399-2766 to enroll in a free smoking cessation class if you need help to quit or follow these 8 tips to help you quit smoking.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are the way to go!
Take your Medications as prescribed
If you have elevated blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, you are at increased risk for a heart attack. Keeping these under control will minimize the risk of damage to your heart
If you are having trouble remembering to take your medications, put them in a pill box so you can see if you took them that day.
Place the pill box by your toothbrush or on the kitchen table so you see your medications daily. This should help you to remember to take them.
These tips were provided by Dr. Vicky Findley, Medical Director of Volunteers in Medicine, Jacksonville.
