Balance & Restore: Improve Heart Health

IMPROVE HEART HEALTH

Share your family medical history with your health care provider.

Pay attention to dental health.

Plan meals in advance.

Bring a list when shopping for heart-healthy foods.

Take a quick nap in the middle of the day to lower stress.

Consider tai chi to improve cardiovascular fitness.

Engage in moderate exercise, three to five days a week.

Experiment to find exercises you enjoy.

Do not smoke.

Avoid saturated fats like butter; replace them with vegetable oils like olive or canola.

Decrease inflammation with healthy fats like olive oil and salmon.

Indulge in plant foods like vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes.

Limit added sugars.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Work toward clocking 10,000 steps a day.

Manage stress with exercise, meditation, journaling, yoga, and talking with friends.