Heart disease is a common killer disease claiming over half a million deaths in the United States annually. The worst part is that the condition might not show symptoms until the last minute, making it a tricky condition to manage. Fortunately, you can work with cardiovascular physicians like Dr. Rishin Shah to reduce your chances of developing complications and lead an active and healthy life. You can develop several heart-healthy strategies to protect your heart and minimize your risks for heart disease and other complications. Here is how.

Choose a Healthy Diet

Your choice of food and drinks has a lot to do with your heart health. Healthy snacks and meals can help you skip heart disease and associated complications. Eat fewer processed foods and focus on adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet. Understand that foods highly concentrated in trans fat and saturated fats might increase your chances of heart disease. Invest in a high-fiber diet avoiding high cholesterol to improve the health of your heart. Alcohol should be taken in moderation to avoid raising your blood pressure.

Check on Your Weight

Heart disease is prevalent among people with obesity or who are overweight. The extra weight exerts pressure on your blood vessels and heart increasing your chances of heart complications. Work with your doctor to understand if your weight is in a healthy range. Your provider will help you determine your Body Mass Index and guide you on how you will maintain a healthy weight.

Stay Active

Physical fitness is critical and affects your heart health in several ways. Talk to your doctor to understand the proper physical regime for cardiovascular health. Staying active will help you avoid several factors contributing to heart disease, including high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, and high blood pressure. The best part is that you do not have to be tough. With only two hours and thirty minutes of moderate exercise per week, you can avoid most complications associated with inactivity.

Quit Smoking

Smoking or any use of tobacco is detrimental to your cardiovascular health. You might not be a smoker, but exposure to secondhand smoke is equally harmful. Tobacco chemicals can damage your blood vessels and heart, leading to complications from heart disease. Smoking decreases oxygen in your blood and can lead to high heart rate and blood pressure. Fortunately, your risk for heart complications decreases as soon as you start quitting.

Check Your Stress Levels

Stress can occur naturally due to daily life pressures like work or school. However, having stress in unhealthy ways can increase your heart complication risks. You can try several alternatives to manage stress, including physical activity, meditation, or relaxation techniques. Seek expert help in cases of severe stress levels.

Seek Regular Screening

Everybody should maintain regular heart disease screening. Remember that the condition may not manifest until when it is late. Therefore, always visit your doctor to discuss your heart health, understand your heart disease risks, and take proactive steps to avoid complications. Ensure you are regularly screened for cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

You should never wait for heart disease to appear to take action, as it might never show up until advanced. Talk to the cardiovascular specialists at Prime Heart and Vascular today for help. Make a call immediately or use the online tool to schedule your consultation appointment.