Looking great and feeling good is a manifestation of the condition of the body, more specifically the heart. With great conditioning, a person has a strong heart and can remain active for a long time after everyone else is exhausted. More specifically, a heart that is fit and healthy makes the entire body much stronger, and while it might seem that only athletes can achieve this optimal level of heart healthiness, even the less active can find ways of keeping their heart fit and healthy.
Eating a well-balanced diet: A great percentage of what affects the human body is what a person consumes. Heart health begins with eating foods that are typically low in salt, less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. When looking at food labels, find out how much sodium is in each serving, and then try to keep the salt to a minimum. This reduces the incidence of high blood pressure.
Also, while fats are an important part of a healthy diet, reduce the amount of trans fats and saturated fats eaten in a day. These types of fats are associated with raising bad cholesterol (LDLs) and lowering good cholesterol (HDLs) but more significantly clogging arteries, which can result in a number of heart-related ailments. Controlling cholesterol levels by eating fats from oily fish and olive oil is one way to have good heart health, as seen in this full article. Another ingredient to keep to a minimum is alcohol because it is linked to heart disease.
Staying active: Whether trying to compete for a triathlon or simply trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle involving exercise, those with a healthy heart have a routine fitness plan that involves at least two-and-a-half hours of moderate aerobic exercise twice a week. If the person does not necessarily want to break a sweat, many low-impact activities such as yoga and water aerobics help get the heart rate up while giving the participant a pleasurable experience. Those trying to achieve a fit heart will also be pleased with the rewards of their effort in that they might see the beginnings of a beautiful physique to match any Olympian.
Remaining slim and trim: The more weight that a person carries, the more stress on the heart, and the more work that the heart has to do to perform its function in the body. For this reason, trying to achieve a good BMI (Body Mass Index) is one way to avoid the damaging effects of extra weight on the heart, in addition to reducing the chance of heart disease. BMI is based on height and weight, and the higher the BMI, the more weight a person has. A healthy BMI is 18 to 25, and anything higher than this means that the person is either overweight or obese. For this reason, remaining active and finding a comfortable fitness level is integral in maintaining a healthy weight and heart.
Reducing stress levels: Because of increasingly demanding societal expectations, stress is at the top of other health conditions that influence good health. More significantly, though, many common heart-related disorders are rooted in stress – disorders such as heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Whether it is sharing problems with a friend or a loved one or participating in a favorite activity, finding a positive way to counteract mental problems associated with stress is probably the best way to avoid developing heart-related conditions.
Managing health care: One can prepare to combat heart ailments by simply knowing their family history to identify the likelihood of them developing these conditions. Proactive people can get heart smart and fit by getting their cholesterol checked every four to six years and getting blood pressure checked quite frequently. Alternatively, a healthy heart is associated with good dental health as bacteria involved with gum disease moves into the bloodstream creating inflammation in the blood vessels, which increases risks for heart disease. Good dental health, which includes brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings, helps the mouth and heart remain healthy. Finally, a well-rested person is a healthy person because sleep is the opportunity for the body to restore and recharge itself, resulting in a healthy heart.
Ultimately, a healthy heart begins with good eating and active lifestyle habits. Diets that include healthy fats and that are low in salt help heart health, while developing a workout or finding activities that increase the target heart rate are ways to obtain a strong, fit heart. Being proactive and taking ownership of daily health habits or preventative care reduces the likelihood of developing heart ailments.