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Implementing healthy heart habits should not be the result of a heart event or a close call – you should always be conscious of your heart’s well-being and work to protect it before something goes wrong. Your heart is your most important and hardest working muscle and needs to be in top shape to operate efficiently. Even small heart-healthy habits you begin now can make a huge difference in the long run.
Consider Your Diet
Little changes to your diet make your heart a lot happier, so take into account how you can adjust your eating habits to better adhere to the following:
- Incorporate greens like spinach, collard greens, and kale to your vegetable intake. The darker the green, the better.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Omega-3 rich fish (like salmon) or skinless chicken are better options than red meat.
- Whole grains like wheat, barley, oats, quinoa, and others are better for you refined grains.
- Olive oil is the best oil.
- Your overall diet should be fruit and vegetable-heavy.
Make Time for Exercise
Exercise does not have to be a vigorous and exhausting experience. Simple practices that raise your heart rate, like walking for 20 minutes, are far from strenuous, but are still beneficial, and may even be enjoyable! There are more intense forms of exercise that can also make an impact on your heart health, but the best thing you can do is talk with your doctor and go from there. They will be able to best advise you on what exercise is best for you based on your heart health and other factors.
We also advise you to stop smoking as well as do everything you can to manage your stress levels.
Talk With Us
At Brookhaven Heart, you and your cardiovascular health are the most important things to us. Our doctors and specialists are available if you have any concerns about your heart, and will work with you to figure out which lifestyle changes and exercise plans would be the most beneficial to you. You can call us at 631-654-3278 or schedule an appointment online. We have locations in Patchogue, New Hyde Park, and Hicksville, NY.
