Key Questions to Prevent Heat Problems
By Sandy Schroeder
If you are moving through your thirties and forties and worried about heart problems in the future, why not prevent them now?
WellAndGood.com spoke with preventive cardiology nutritionists who specialize in managing the risk factors for heart disease. They said these are key questions to ask yourself to prevent heart disease.
Does your family have a history of heart disease? - If your parents, grandparents or others in your immediate family have had heart issues, discuss that with your doctor and review your blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides and weight to see where you stand and what you should be doing.
What does your diet look like? - Heart disease can often be prevented by eating a whole food diet or a Mediterranean diet, according to cardiology nutritionists. Concentrate on unprocessed and unrefined foods and foods high in Omega 3's with healthy fats like olive oil, fish, grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Match the diet to family favorites and cook and bake at home. Make take-out the exception rather than the rule.
How busy are you - Eating a heart healthy diet can vary with the time that you have available. Just make sure you take the time to eat fresh whole foods. Occasional pizzas and take-out are OK but don't make them a regular routine at the end of a long day.
How often do you exercise? - Avoiding heart trouble calls for a healthy diet and a matching effort in regular exercise. Take a good look at what you are doing right now to stay fit and then structure the goals to make sure your routine protects your heart. Talk with your doctor about your weight and health numbers and then create activities to improve both. Make sure you are getting at least 30 minutes of activity daily and doing aerobics to get your heart rate up. Get your family involved to make fitness an ongoing effort.
Do you have ways to let go of stress? - If stress is a daily thing for you and disturbed sleep happens frequently, make the effort to find ways to relax and make sleep a priority. You may want to start meditating morning and evening or learn some deep breathing exercises to use whenever tension builds. Music, painting, cooking or crafts might serve as stress outlets too.
How often do you see your doctor? - Keep checkups up to date and review the numbers to stay heart healthy. Your doctor can spot any issues when they crop up and suggest diet and exercise corrections to keep you on track.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Seal Beach, Calif.