Being healthy and to age gracefully is certainly a blessing in disguise. It is indeed a big challenge to take care of our health especially living in this modern world where everything is fast paced. Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s leading killer, responsible for 1 out of 3 deaths. The need to take care of the heart is more important than ever as this number is gradually increasing at an alarming rate. The question now is, how to take care of the heart?

            Heart is a vital organ as it supplies oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body to function well. Without a functional heart, a person will be faced with a life-threatening condition. To prevent such episodes of heart diseases, taking care of the heart is a must. There are many steps you can take aside from consuming Blackmores supplements to take control of your heart health to lead a much healthier and fulfilling life, this includes:

1-    Eat a heart healthy diet. Eating food is not only important for providing energy for the body, but also to nourish it. A healthy diet for the heart consists of an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Avoid eating food high in salt and sodium such as processed food, canned and fast food. Avoid drinking or eating food high in sugar.

2-    Be physically active. Make sure to do physical activity for at least a total of 150 minutes per week. Physical activity such as climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator, brisk walking while waking your pet, dancing, gardening or household chores.

3-    Maintain healthy weight. Of you are overweight or obese, you should try to lose some weight by practising good eating habit and exercise regularly. Excess weight can easily cause a person to be susceptible to heart disease and high blood pressure.

4-    Avoid smoking. Substance in smoke or cigarettes has been proved to damage both heart and the blood vessels which increase the risk for getting a heart disease. Second-hand smoke should also be aware that these effects may also be affecting them.

5-    Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol especially in excess has been known to be associated with many health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. To fully protect the heart is to not drink any alcohol at all because there is no safe level of drinking alcohol that has been established or proven to be beneficial.

6-    Have a good night sleep. Making sure you get enough sleep of 7-8 hours can help lowers the blood pressure and enable the body to heal or restore its health. Study shows that poor sleep leads to high blood pressure.

7-    Less stress, more relaxation. Stress has been linked to increased risks for heart diseases. Managing your stress by practising relaxation and mindfulness not only helps your heart, but also helps improve your mental health. You can also watch funny movies or crack jokes with loved ones to help ease the tense.

8-    Regular check-ups. The best way to have a healthy heart is by getting the blood pressure and blood sugar checked on a regular basis. It is important to get a medical check-up regularly as high blood pressure and blood sugar level may not exhibit any sign or symptoms. If you are diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, you need to follow healthcare professional’s advice and be disciplined in taking the medicine provided.

       Taking care of the heart health does not only help the heart, but also for the whole body. The key to a healthy heart is to be consistent with a healthy lifestyle that is basic and simple.