Five Tips to Improve Heart Health

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women in the United States. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by making simple lifestyles changes.

Fawad Virk, MD, FACC, a board-certified cardiologist and interventional cardiologist at Phelps Health, offers five tips to keep your heart healthy.

1. Get Regular Exercise: Doing aerobic exercise most days of the week for 30 to 60 minutes will help keep your heart working as efficiently as possible.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet: Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Low-fat dairy, poultry, fish and nuts also are good foods to include in your diet. Limit or avoid red meat, processed foods and excessive salt. Many doctors recommend the Mediterranean diet as a heart healthy diet.
3. Watch Your Blood Pressure: Check your blood pressure regularly, and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
4. Get Enough Sleep: Good, quality sleep is essential for health. Your heart is significantly impacted when your body does not get enough sleep. Most people need six to eight hours of sleep each night. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you snore or have daytime sleepiness or fatigue because these may be signs you have a sleep apnea disorder.
5. Avoid Smoking: If you smoke or chew tobacco, your risk of having heart problems is higher. Contact your healthcare provider if you want to quit. Set a date, and make a commitment.

At the Phelps Health Heart and Vascular Center, we offer advanced care and cutting-edge technology designed to produce the best possible health outcomes for patients.