At Manhattan Cardiology, we are driven by this topic as your heart is the engine keeping you alive. It guarantees that everything runs as it should as it provides oxygen and nutrients to all cells. And, like any engine, it needs regular maintenance to remain running as intended. We’ll go over why heart health is so important, how to improve it, and what steps you may do right now to strengthen a healthier heart.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. When your heart isn’t healthy, you’re at a higher risk of serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure, so taking care of your heart can help prevent these life-threatening issues.
A Healthy Heart Improves Your Quality of Life
A healthy heart offers improved circulation, greater energy, and fewer health issues. Whether it’s playing with your kids, going up the stairs without becoming winded, or just feeling good every day, heart health influences how you live.
Can Heart Health Be Improved?
Yes! Taking action to enhance your heart health is possible regardless of your medical history. Alterations to one’s way of life and the use of certain medications may halt the worsening of certain diseases, but they cannot eliminate them entirely. Here’s where you can start:
- Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Cut back on processed foods, salt, and sugar.
- Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking, biking, or swimming) most days of the week.
- Manage Stress: Try deep breathing, meditation, or hobbies that help you relax.
- Weight Control: Extra weight puts stress on your heart, so aim for a balanced diet and regular activity.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking damages your blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.
- Get Enough Sleep: Poor sleep can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart problems. Aim for 7–9 hours per night.
- See your Cardiologist If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other conditions that affect heart health, your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage them.
How to Check Your Heart Health
Monitoring your heart health is important, and there are a few simple ways to check how your heart is doing. Measuring your resting heart rate, which typically falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute, can be done by feeling your pulse on your wrist or neck or using a smartwatch or pulse oximeter. Regular physical exams are also essential, as a doctor can listen to your heart, check your blood pressure, and evaluate any potential risk factors during a routine checkup.
