How to Maintain a Healthy Heart

Maintaining heart health is essential for a long, healthy life and by making simple, consistent changes to our diet and lifestyles, we can keep our hearts functioning at their best. Below are some practical tips to keep your heart healthy.

Stay Active with Regular Exercise

• Regular physical activity such as walking, cycling and swimming helps strengthens the heart muscle, improves blood circulation, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
  
  

Eat a Healthy Diet
What we eat has a direct impact on heart health. Making simple changes to your diet can have a huge impact on the health of your heart. Here are some of our top diet tips:

• Ensure a balanced diet: Make sure your diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Limit processed foods: Monitoring intake of salt, saturated fats and sugars can reduce the risk of heart conditions.
• Incorporating heart-healthy fats: Fats like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, can also benefit your cardiovascular system.

Find out more about how you can improve your diet here: Foodwise for Life Programme

Manage Stress Levels
Finding ways to manage stress, such as through meditation, yoga, or even spending time outdoors, can significantly improve your heart’s wellbeing. Ensuring you get enough rest each night and setting aside time for relaxation will support your overall health as well as reduce strain on your heart.

Quit Smoking
Smoking damages your arteries and raises your risk of developing heart disease. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Though it can be challenging, numerous resources are available to help you break free from this habit, and the benefits to your heart are profound.
For more help on quitting smoking, see our top tips here.

Enjoy the Benefits of Heart Health
​By following these steps to maintain a healthy heart, you’ll not only reduce your risk of heart disease but also improve your energy levels, mood, and overall quality of life. 
If you’re looking to cut down on unhealthy habits or need guidance on making lifestyle changes, we have helpful resources for you on our page here: Want to Cut Down?