Letting go of those bad habits

We have already talked about bad and good habits in another blog post earlier. We all have a habit of some sort. Your habit may be a good one and you may have a bad one that will somehow affect your heart. But, the good thing is that we can change those habits and become the heart healthy person we want.

Smoking and heart problems go hand in hand and it effects more than your heart. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries, which can ultimately lead to a heart attack. Physical activity helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Also, monitoring your blood sugar levels can reduce your chance of diabetes. Diabetes can quadruple your risk of heart disease or stroke, so keeping blood sugar levels under control is crucial to preventing medical problems involving the heart. If left untreated, diabetes can also cause many other health complications.

It’s never too late to make positive, proactive changes to avoid heart disease. Think of making yourself your own project. Just be more mindful of how your day to day behavior can affect your health. Get support and encouragement from those close to you.

The American Heart Association can be a great resource and motivator for tips and suggestions to battle heart disease. Start with reasonable goals and you will achieve them and your heart will thank you.