You take care of your family, your work and your home – but when was the last time you even thought about caring for the well-being of your heart? This is usually the last thing on a woman’s to-do. It is a common belief that heart disease is mostly prevalent among men.
However, heart disease is a common cause of death for women as well. Simply popping pills can keep the symptoms at bay for a while but unfortunately that’s not enough. The most effective prevention from heart diseases and promoting your heart health is being aware about the risk factors and changing your lifestyle.
Risk Factors
Aside from the traditional risk factors for heart diseases in both men and women, including obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol level, various other factors have a bigger role for women when it comes to heart diseases. These major risk factors are:
- Complications in pregnancy
- Broken heart syndrome
- Menopause
- Inactivity
- Smoking
- Depression and mental stress
- Diabetes
Inflammatory diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis also increases the heart disease risk in women. Furthermore, research has found that complications in pregnancy might increase the risk of heart diseases for the child in the future.
Tips to Enhance Heart Health
Fortunately, a healthy and balanced lifestyle can decrease the heart disease risk drastically. Here are five effective tips you should follow to promote your heart health.
1. Daily Walks
Physical activity is essential for your health. If you don’t workout regularly, you can start with daily walks. Begin with a 10-minute walk every day and gradually increase the time.
2. Healthy Diet
Include more vegetables and fruits in your diet and avoid junk food, processed food and sugary food. Make it a point to consume at least one vegetable or fruit each day. Most importantly, have a hearty breakfast to start your day off right.
3. Eat Nuts
Almonds, walnuts and other nuts, as well as seeds, are great alternatives to cookies and chips. A handful of nuts and seeds are also good for your heart. Top them in your salad or pasta, or munch on them as a snack.
4. Have Seafood
Eating seafood once each week is great for not only your brain and heart but also for your waistline.
5. Take a Break
Juggling work, home and family can get exhausting and most of the women hardly get enough time to themselves. Aim to have at least 10 minutes of alone time ever day. You need a break to recharge yourself. Read a book, give yourself a facial cleanse, meditate, do yoga or just relax on your favorite chair while sipping coffee.
6. Recount Your Blessings
Constant worrying and stressing over your children, your work, and other things promote heart diseases. Remind yourself everyday how blessed you are to enhance your positive energy. The more positively you think, the less stressed you will be and as a result it will enhance your overall health.
It is essential to care for yourself first so that you can take better care of your loved ones. Eat healthy, exercise, take out time for yourself, and ensure you have regular checkups to be a step ahead of any potential heart diseases. For more health tips, advice, or to make an appointment, visit http://www.healthonemedicine.com/.