Heart attacks can be devastating. However, there are steps that you can take to ensure that another one does not occur in the future. The key is adopting a healthier lifestyle and making sure that you maintain a balance between work and personal time, family, and friends.
A healthy diet and regular physical activity are crucial so your heart remains strong throughout your life—even after a heart attack. After recovering from your heart attack and returning home to your assisted living apartments in Mooresville, NC, here are five changes to make life feel better!
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing heart disease. This means choosing a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, beans, and nuts. Limiting salt intake is also essential, as excess sodium can increase blood pressure and lead to heart disease. These small dietary changes can net you huge, health-wise.
2. Do More Exercises
Regular exercise helps to maintain muscle tone, improves heart health, and can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have been inactive for a long time, start slowly and build up gradually.
Try walking for as little as 30 minutes a day at first and then increase this over time until you reach at least 150 minutes per week (about 30 minutes a day). You could join an exercise class at your local gym or sports center if it’s easier than exercising alone at home. Many gyms offer free sessions, so it will be worth asking about this when booking them.
3. Take Care of Your Body with Regular Checkups and Screenings
You may have noticed that some people are healthier than others. This is because they care for their bodies, which you should also do. As you age, it’s essential to keep up with your health. Suppose you have a history of heart disease or other serious illnesses. In that case, you must see your doctor regularly so they can monitor any changes in your condition.
4. Sleep Well and Sleep Enough—but Not Too Much
Sleep is essential for good health. It’s a time when your body can rest and recover from the stresses of daily life, but it also helps keep your immune system strong.
As we age, our sleep patterns change. You may wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep at bedtime. This is normal. Still, if it becomes a problem that interferes with your daily activities, talk to your doctor about options such as medication or behavioral therapy.
5. Watch And Reduce Your Weight
Watching your weight is one of the best ways to prevent heart attacks. The heavier you are, the more stress your heart has to endure. If you’re overweight and have other risk factors for heart disease like high cholesterol or diabetes, losing weight can help reduce those risks significantly.
Conclusion
Heart attacks are treatable, and you will live a long and healthy life after having one. But you need to take care of yourself for this to happen. These lifestyle changes are a start to living life in the right direction.
