A healthy heart is essential for a healthy body. Heart disease is a leading cause of death; however, in most cases can be managed. Here are 5 things you can do daily to keep your heart healthier.

Make healthy food choices

Convenience and stress can lead many people to make poor food choices. This will only hurt you in the end. Being overweight typically means you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both these increase your risk of heart disease. Make healthier food choices to keep your weight down. A good place to start is limiting your salt intake. Be mindful of drinking alcohol in moderation. And replace trans fats with healthy fats. Your body needs fat to survive, and many options won’t harm you, like nuts, avocados, and eggs. By neglecting your food choices, cholesterol can clog your arteries. This makes it hard for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body. Remember that healthy in means healthy out. If you are having trouble losing weight and need to talk with a professional about your risk of heart disease, contact Beverly Hills Vein Center.

Be physical

Most people think of physical activity as something to help with weight loss. Although that is a great benefit, being active helps more than just your waistline. It ultimately helps your heart and prevents you from getting heart disease. Although working out is a great form of physical activity, it is not required to help your heart. Being sedentary is what increases the risk of heart disease, so make sure that you don’t sit for long periods of time. Even if you workout in the morning then sit the rest of the day, you are still at risk. It is recommended to stand up and move at least once an hour. Whether you have a desk job or are on a plane, make it a priority to move around. Staying active will reduce the risk of blood clots and other vein problems. Being active can fit in with any lifestyle. Make time for walks, dancing, cleaning the house, or even having sex. All these things have been proven to help prevent heart disease.

Manage stress

Our lives can get pretty hectic at times. Stress, anger, and anxiety have all been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop living your life, and can never be stressed again. Stress is a part of life that will never be fully eradicated, but you can manage it by finding time for yourself and your own mental health. Whether that takes the form of therapy, seeing your friends, or allowing yourself an hour of mindless activity, it will help get you to a happier place. The happier you feel, the better you can manage stress. Stretching has also been shown to help reduce stress levels.

Keep your mouth clean

Did you know that dental hygiene is linked to heart disease? This may not seem obvious, but studies have shown that the same bacteria that cause gum disease can be causing heart disease. This study has been divisive, but it never hurts to keep your teeth shiny. Smoking is also one of the biggest exterior forces on heart disease. This is easily manageable, and frequent smokers should quit immediately. Even non-smokers need to be careful of secondhand smoke. It is just as dangerous as smoking in regards to heart disease.

Get enough sleep

Those who do not sleep enough are at a higher risk of heart disease. Too little sleep has been linked to increased blood pressure. By ignoring sleep, you do not allow your body to naturally heal itself. It is recommended for adults to get at least six to eight hours of sleep a night. Doing so could cut your risk of heart disease in half.