Do YOU want a healthy heart?

“Do I want a healthy heart?”  Not to be crude, but … well, duh! 

With the current trend of a lifestyle of excesses, it’s easy not to care what the heart has to say, when you’re puffing that smoke, downing that drink and chewing that glorious piece of red meat.  Even though studies have shown that men have a greater risk of heart disease, women should be equally concerned.  Heart diseases can start from palpitations, a mild discomfort in the chest, followed by a running pain down your shoulders … and well, that’s it.

In order to keep safe, you follow a few simple tips.  Some of which may be hard to follow, but remember to ask yourself, “Do I want a healthy heart?”

Learn to Breathe

Take deeper breathes.  No, really.  The deeper the breathes, the more amount of oxygen is taken in, which is just important for the heart.  Get one of those air purifiers for your home while you’re at it.

Laugh out loud

Laughter has been proven to increase immune functions, boost endorphin release and whatnot --- but the deeper reason for choosing it is simple: stress is a killer.  Stress causes palpitations, arrhythmia and other heart disturbances.  Try watching funny movies at least twice a week, or read the funny papers before heading to work --- it’ll do you a world of good.

Exercise

A strong heart is a healthy heart --- just like any other muscle in the body, it must get the exercise it needs to get the blood pumping.  Not enough time to work-out?  Use your environment --- choose the stairs over the escalator the next time you’re in the mall.  Take a walk in your afternoon coffee break. 

Supplement

Eat as many organic fruits and vegetables that you can --- this is bar-none the best thing you could do for your heart.  If you can, eat them fresh and uncooked, as some of the nutrients are lost once a fruit or vegetable is cooked.  Eat fresh fish twice a week, and get more omega-3’s from a fish oil supplement.

Limit

Avoid any kind of toxic exposure for the body.  Limit your intake of saturated and trans fats or anything cooked in hydrogenated oil.  Stop that cigarette habit.  Quit the binge drinking!  All of these contribute to you getting a higher blood pressure, which is always linked to heart disease.

May you live long, strong and happy!