Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to maintaining a healthy heart! Research has shown that when people alter their lifestyles and reduce risk factors of heart disease, they stay healthier longer. If you are not currently maintaining a healthy lifestyle, listed below are many lifestyle changes that will reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack.

Receiving regular medical check-ups assures that risk factors of heart attacks, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are caught in the early stages. Regular check-ups should be a part of everyone’s healthcare routine; however, they are even more important for anyone with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or diabetes.

The American Heart Association encourages you to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet because saturated fat and cholesterol raise your cholesterol levels and promote build-up called plaque, which narrows your artery walls, ultimately reducing blood supply to your heart. Once an artery becomes completely blocked, blood can’t reach the heart, causing a heart attack.

Regular aerobic exercise helps protect your heart. You don’t have to work out like a star athlete; anything that works your heart and lungs for 30 to 60 minutes about three or four times a week will significantly reduce your risk of developing heart-related problems.

People who are overweight have higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure and are at a far higher risk of diabetes. We recommend following the American Heart Association’s nutritional guide in order to maintain a healthy weight and prevent the risk factors of heart disease.

Smoking is detrimental to your overall health and adversely impacts your heart health. Avoiding smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your heart health.

Stress is not good for you! Stress is a very natural part of our face-paced, high-tech society; however, taking steps to avoid stressful situations when possible can have a positive impact on your heart health.