Heart Healthy Tips

Most people know that a healthy diet that limits or excludes saturated and artificial trans fats and limits salt/sodium intake can help maintain a healthy heart. But, there are some other things that can be done to maintain a healthy heart:
Drink alcohol only in moderation - Heavy alcohol drinking increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Get active - Regular physical activity protects against heart disease by burning extra calories, which helps you to lose excess weight or stay at your desirable weight.
Get your blood pressure checked - High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and congestive heart failure.
Keep your cholesterol under control - High blood cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, which raises the risk of a heart attack.
Quit smoking - People who smoke are six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day.
Watch your weight - If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to develop heart disease even if you have no other risk factors. Losing just 5–10 percent of your current weight will help to lower your risk of heart disease and many other medical disorders.
Source: National Institutes of Health