Cardiac Health: 10 Tips

Here are 10 tips for cardiac health that everyone should know. Modern medicine has greatly increased the odds of surviving a heart attack. Why even run the risk? The following tips should help you avoid the possibility of having a heart attack and increase your cardiac health.

1. Heavy alcohol intake is associated with cardiovascular diseases. These are arrhythmias, stroke, hypertension and cardiomyopathy. The occasional night out on the town is not an issue.It's those who are afflicted with alcoholism that are at an increased risk. 
2. Nuts are healthier than you may think. They contain a plethora of vitamins and are loaded with unsaturated fats and fiber. When looking for a snack, consider low salt cashews or peanuts. It's a great way to satisfy hunger without loading the system with artery-clogging fats.
3. If you smoke, quit. Easier said than done, sure. Smoking greatly increases many risk factors for a heart attack. If quitting is difficult, consider smoking cessation medication or finding a support group. Smoking is one of the top risk factors for a cardiac event.
4. Start working out. Getting 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week makes all the difference. The benefits of exercise far outweigh the nuisance factor of problems with cardiac health.
5. Keep an eye on your blood pressure. Not monitoring your BP on a regular basis means that you can be hypertensive and not know it. Stroke is called the silent killer for a reason.
6. Reduce salt intake now. Don't do it later when a cardiac event has already occurred. Salt thins the blood and will only assist hypertension issues.
7. Consume heart healthy oils in your cooking. Omega-3 is one the best thing going for heart health. There are cooking oils on the market that contain Omega-3.
   
8. Watch your weight. If you're not able to exercise on a regular basis, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Add an extra mile of walking into your day.  Holding onto extra pounds increases risk.
9. Take a CRP test. CRP, or C-reactive protein, shows if there's painless inflammation in the body. Painless inflammation puts added pressure on blood vessels, thins the walls of the arteries and leads to cardiac events. It's an inexpensive and simple procedure that can save your life.
10. Have regular blood cholesterol check ups. The importance of getting this done cannot be underestimated. Cardiac issues can be avoided by monitoring the cholesterol levels in your blood. It's a simple fix, so why not do it?

Having and surviving a heart attack changes your life drastically. The amount of work you have to do successfully recover from a cardiac event is double what was necessary to prevent one. Take these ten tips about cardiac health to heart. You'll be glad you did.

Resources:

American Heart Association