Heart Healthy Tips

It is crucial to understand how to take care of your heart. Taking care of your heart is vital to your overall heart health and your overall well-being. Here are a few important ways to take care of your heart. 

Heart-healthy eating can be defined as a pattern of eating that boosts your cardiovascular health. What you eat matters, especially when it comes to taking care of your heart. Your diet plays a significant role in your overall heart health. 

Adopting a heart-healthy diet means including whole fruits, vegetables, and grains in your meals. A heart-healthy diet also means adopting healthy eating habits, such as portion control and meal planning.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables 
• Go for whole grains
• Get your proteins
• Limit unhealthy fats
• Reduce and limit salt intake
• Start planning meals ahead of time

One of the best things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke is to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle changes are one of the best ways to protect yourself against heart disease and stroke. They reduce your risk of heart disease and can make your body stronger and healthier overall. 

Some essential lifestyle changes you can make include: 

• Stop smoking
• Get moving every day
• Work to maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce stress in your life
• Manage diabetes
• Take medicines as directed
• Be smart about what you drink 

Everyone needs to know the signs of a heart attack or stroke. When experiencing a heart attack, it is essential to get medical care immediately. 

The most common and major symptoms of a heart attack you should be aware of include: 

• Chest discomfort or pain: The most common sign of a heart attack is pain or discomfort in the center or left side of your chest. The pain or discomfort usually lasts a few minutes and can come back. It may feel like squeezing, uncomfortable pressure, or pain. 

• Shortness of breath: Sudden shortness of breath that may come before or with your chest discomfort. This shortness of breath is not associated with exercising or physical activity. 

• Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder: The pain may be in one arm, shoulder, or both. 

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back. 
• Feeling weak, faint, or light-headed: It is common when feeling like this to break out randomly into a cold sweat.

Some people also experience feelings of unexplained tiredness, nausea, or vomiting. If you experience these signs, you need to call 9-1-1 immediately.

It is so important to take care of your heart health. At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, your heart health is our priority. Dr. Lilian Ahiable is an expert cardiologist who can help you protect your heart health and assist with your recovery from a heart attack. 

To schedule an appointment, call us at 727-300-2282 or request an appointment online.