Your body is a well-oiled machine. Your concept of healthcare is "If it ain't broke don't fix it" or "If you keep looking for problems you are going to find them". You don't have time for an annual check-up. The only appointment you keep is the one to get your oil changed every 5,000 miles. You need an attitude adjustment regarding your concept of healthcare. Just think with a brake adjustment and an attitude adjustment you may add years to your life.
Introduction
Some people only think about hearts on Valentine's Day. This is a very shortsighted approach to a
healthy lifestyle. A little thought and
effort makes it possible and painless to transform a hectic, over scheduled life
into a heart friendly existence.
Manage Your Risk Factors
In order to make lifestyle changes that will be beneficial
to your heart’s health you must first identify potential risks that need to be
addressed.
One of the cornerstones of a heart healthy life is healthy
eating. Take a look at what you eat on
a daily basis. Determine if the food
you consume is healthy and nutritious. If you have a diet that is high in fat,
especially saturated fat, you should be aware that this might elevate your
cholesterol levels. If cholesterol
levels are elevated you have the potential to accumulate fatty deposits inside
the arterial walls. These deposits slow
blood flow and increase the risk of blockages.
Partial or total obstructions can cause heart disease or stroke. If you find that your diet is lacking make
the necessary changes to improve it. If
you are unsure about how your diet rates ask your physician to refer you to a
dietitian.
Exercise has been identified as a very important component
of a heart healthy lifestyle. You must
review your activity level to see just how much exercise you get on a weekly
basis. It is very important to be
honest with yourself when you determine your exercise level.
Smoking is known to cause heart disease and circulatory
problems. If you smoke then you should
quit immediately. If you have
difficulty with the concept of quitting tobacco then you should talk to your
doctor and ask about a smoking cessation program.
A healthy body weight is also an essential component of a
heart smart lifestyle. If you have a
few pounds to shed throw a way your chocolate bars and refer to a healthy
eating cookbook until you see the results you need.
An annual physical is of paramount importance in controlling
heart disease. Blood pressure levels,
cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels should all be checked. Think of your check-up as preventative
maintenance.