Sleep for Heart Health
One of the most important things you can do to improve your heart health is to get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. Sleep also helps regulate hormones that control appetite and metabolism, so getting enough rest can help you maintain a healthy weight.
In addition to getting enough rest at night, it's important to improve the quality of your sleep by making sure that you aren't exposed too much light before bedtime (including from electronic devices). Light exposure late at night can suppress production of melatonin--a hormone that regulates circadian rhythms--and may make it harder for you fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night.
Quitting Smoking for Heart Health
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your heart health. It's also one of the most difficult, but with a little help and determination, it can be done!
- The benefits of quitting are immediate and long-lasting. Your risk of dying from heart disease decreases within 20 minutes after your last cigarette. Within five years, your risk will be half that of a smoker's; 10 years later it's down to about one-tenth what it was as a smoker--and keeps dropping from there!
- Quitting methods include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), prescription medications like bupropion or varenicline, or behavioral therapies such as counseling or hypnosis--or any combination thereof depending on what works best for you.* Support networks are key: find friends who've quit smoking before so they can offer advice; join an online support group like Smokefree World; attend local events sponsored by local hospitals or community organizations that offer free cessation classes.*
Heart Health Supplements
Supplements can be a great way to improve your heart health. Here are some of the most important supplements that you should consider taking:
- Fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids
- CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10)
- Magnesium and calcium
- Vitamin D
Heart Health Tests
- Blood pressure. Your blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries as it's pumped through them. It can be measured in several ways, but a common method involves placing a cuff around your arm and pumping it up until it's tight enough to stop the flow of blood. This causes an increase in pressure inside the artery, which can be measured by a gauge on top of or within the cuff.
- Cholesterol levels: High levels of cholesterol may increase your risk for heart disease, while low levels may indicate other health problems such as diabetes or thyroid disorders (which also affect heart health). You'll likely get tested for cholesterol at least once during middle age; if you're older than 45 years old and haven't been tested before then ask about getting screened for high cholesterol during annual physical exams.* Blood sugar level: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (or "adult onset" diabetes) increases risk for heart disease by causing damage to small vessels throughout your body--including those leading from arteries into capillaries near muscle tissue where oxygen needs are highest.* Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG measures electrical activity in cardiac muscles using electrodes placed on skin surfaces overlying each chamber along with leads attached elsewhere on chest wall surface area.* Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses sound waves transmitted through tissues such as bone marrow fluid surrounding organs like hearts; this allows doctors to see inside structures without cutting open bodies first!
Conclusion
When it comes to heart health, the most important thing you can do is make lifestyle changes. The following are some of the most effective methods for improving your heart health:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Get plenty of exercise every day.
Cut down on smoking or drinking alcohol if you do either one (or both).
It's also important to see your doctor regularly so they can check for signs of heart disease and help you manage any conditions that may be putting strain on your heart.
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