One third of Americans are living with heart disease. The good news is you can reduce your risk of heart disease with a few important lifestyle changes. We sat down with Dr. Deirdre Mattina, preventive cardiologist and director of the Women’s Heart Center at Henry Ford Health System, to talk about how you can lower your risk and protect your heart. Keep your heart healthy with these three important tips:
1. – Reduce sugar
According to Dr. Mattina, sugar is this century’s tobacco. It’s pervasive, addictive and cheap. Consuming too much sugar is associated with heart disease and stroke. Be smart about snacking with our easy snack swaps.
2. – Reduce salt
While fast or pre-prepared foods seem ideal for busy schedules, they have extra sodium which can cause high blood pressure. There’s a link between high blood pressure and heart disease. Over time, high blood pressure can damage the kidneys, brain and heart.
3. – Increase activity
Getting physical activity is important, and even small lifestyle changes will benefit your heart. Try to get 15-20 minutes of physical exercise a day. Get moving with one of these office-friendly workouts. Learn more of Dr. Mattina’s tips in this heart health video.
