The month of February marks National Heart Month. We’re taking the time to acknowledge how important it is to take care of our heart health to lower the risk of heart disease. If you’re looking to make the change to better your health through fitness, our Worcester gym is always open!
Before we get into a few ways to reduce the risk, it’s essential to know about a few factors to look out for. Things like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, genetics, and an unhealthy diet are just a few vital signs to recognize when it comes to preventing and reducing heart disease risk.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a diet that’s full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is essential to maintain a healthy heart. If you haven’t already, things like berries, nuts, fish, legumes, and dark leafy greens are excellent foods to incorporate into your diet!
We suggest staying away from foods that are high in trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and extra-added sugars. However, life is always about balance, so if you do eat these foods, we recommend everything in moderation!
Exercise Consistently
Consistent exercise such as cardio is one major way to reduce the risk of heart disease. It helps lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, improve your cardiovascular system, lower blood pressure, and control blood sugar levels. Leading an active lifestyle is also an effective way to reduce stress.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can eventually lead to heart disease because it causes the body to produce and maintain high levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of plaque build-up in the arteries.
Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, massages, mindfulness, and deep breathing are a few excellent ways to combat stress. Another thing that helps is getting the proper amount of sleep every night.
Visit Your Local Worcester Gym, Fastwitch Fitness!
We want to aid you throughout your health journey at Fastwitch Fitness. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or experienced in the world of fitness, we’re here to help you every step of the way! If you’re interested in signing up for training sessions, we encourage you to visit our website for more information.
Follow us on Facebook for updates, or call (508)- 796-5941 to sign up with us today!
