One of the biggest health concerns that comes with aging is how to keep your heart healthy. A healthy heart is so important and unfortunately, the risks towards your heart grow in number the older you get. Asking you doctor what steps you can take to keep your ticker going strong is the obvious first step, but beyond that, here are a few more tips age well and keep your heart strong.
Be responsible.
No one is responsible for your health beyond yourself. Sure, you have people who are concerned for your health and will do their best to help keep you healthy, but you alone must take responsibility for your health. If you’re on special medication, you need to be diligent about taking it. If your doctor recommends more exercise, it’s your responsibility to fit it into your schedule. If there is stress in your life, it’s your responsibility to fix it. You and you alone must take responsibility.
Understand your own situation.
Wherever you’re getting health advice, one thing to keep in mind is that your situation does not necessarily apply to everyone. These things we’re discussing here are broad examples, but for your own heart, circumstances will be different. Be aware and conscious of your heart health. Family history, past conditions, lifestyle are all factors that can affect your heart and can make your situation unique. Being aware of this means you can better find the treatment that works for you.
Quit those bad habits.
Going back to our first point about being responsible, that includes being able to identify those activities that contribute to poor health health. If you’re going to take this seriously you need to be able to put in the hard work required to kick harmful habits like smoking, excessive drinking and poor diet. You should know by now how bad it is for you and you should be doing everything in your power to put an end to those habits now.
Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol.
Keeping your heart healthy also means keeping an eye on the things that might affect its health. Cholesterol can often be a matter of struggle for older people. Maintaining a healthy diet and taking the proper precautions can help keep it under control. Of course, even if your follow good health tips, age will always be a factor when it comes to blood pressure. Ask your doctor about methods for keeping it at a healthy level.
Exercise properly.
As with just about any health concern, exercise is key. However, don’t just assume you know which exercise will benefit you. As you age, certain workout routines can cause more harm than good to your body. Regular walks, aerobic activities and weight lifting are usually the best options for a healthy heart, but consult your doctor about what’s best for you.
Try meditation.
Some may dismiss meditation, and some may not find it very effective, but regardless of your initial thoughts, the results are impressive. Studies have shown that regular meditation can help reduce tress and therefore reduce blood pressure. Seek out the best methods for beginners and see if it can work for you.
Talk to others.
Talking openly about your health is an important step in staying healthy. For men especially, there seems to be a stigma against discussing such things, even with your loved ones. It’s an unhealthy and outdated stance to take, which needs to be done away with. Being able to talk about health concerns, developments, and questions is not only therapeutic but it helps create a community in which people are more connected with their personal health.
Talk to your doctor often.
As always, before trusting anything you’ve read here, talk to your doctor about the health of your heart. And don’t be afraid to make regular visits and check-ups.