Love is all around you, which is a reason to be good to your heart. Perhaps it motivates us to take better care of ourselves so that we can be around longer for the ones we love. You might be tired of hearing the constant reminder to take care of your heart, but the truth remains: heart disease is the leading cause of death in both women and men. Additionally, obesity and diabetes are also on the rise, both of which increase your risk of heart attack. Statistically, cardiovascular issues account for one in every four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The risk factors are obvious, if you pay attention and look at the person’s entire health makeup:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Being overweight
- Poor eating habits
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes
- Excessive alcohol use
Changes to Diet
Some workable changes you can make to your diet include the following:
- Control portion sizes
- Make half your plate veggies and fruit
- Swap empty carbs for whole grains
- Don’t forget to include dairy
- Swap fatty meats for lean protein
- Incorporate ‘good’ fats
- Drink plenty of water
A good night’s sleep can even protect you against heart disease, although the research is still new. According to scientists, the mechanism by which a brain hormone controls production of inflammatory cells in bone marrow helps protect blood vessels from damage.
Don’t be intimidated by this list. You don’t have to institute all of these changes tomorrow. Try incorporating one a week until you find a plan that works for you. Small changes can add up to have an important effect on your overall help. Don’t let the idea of the daunting task of changing all of your bad habits into good ones keep you from doing even one small thing differently today.
Please give us a call if you would like assistance developing a heart healthy regimen for you and your loved ones.
Contact Elder Care
ElderCare 4 Families is happy to help provide elder care to seniors you know wherever they call home. Complimentary assessments are offered with no obligation by Elder Care, Personalized care is offered from 1 hour up to 24//7. With over 39 years of elderly care experience in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area, trust Elder Care to care for the seniors in your life. Call us at 502-244-8446 to start receiving elder care services in Louisville.
