Simple Steps to Prevent Heart Disease

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Simple Steps to Prevent Heart Disease

As February has come to an end so has #HeartMonth 2017. Each day of the month we shared a heart healthy fact with you via social media:

If you aren’t following us already we share health tips, safety tips and inspirational news stories on a daily basis.

The First Aid Canada team thought this would be a great time to review simple steps you can take to prevent Heart Disease in your life. Heart Disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada so it is important to take the time to educate yourself on simple changes you can make within your everyday life to limit the chances of diagnosis.

Blood Pressure

If you are unsure where your blood pressure falls or it has been a while since your last test make an appointment with your doctor today. By know your blood pressure you can keep it under control. With a well monitired and controlled blood pressure you can ensure your body is feeling it’s best at all times. 

Exercise Regularly

Are you a regular exerciser? If not, we put together 5 Physical Activity Tips for a Healthy Heart. By exercising regularily you are not only building muscle strength, but you are lowering your blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart and increasing good HDL cholesterol. Increasing good cholesterol means allows for transportation of fat away from the arteries and back to the liver for processing. 

Quit Smoking

Quit smoking if you do. Your heart does not appreciate, nor deserve the chemicals for all of the hard work it does on a daily basis. If you are not a smoker try not to frequent places where you are susceptible to inhaling second hand smoke. Second hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals and 70 of these are known to cause cancer. Make healthier choices on a daily basis and your heart will live happily!

Be Aware of Diabetes

Do you have diabetes? If so, be sure you are monitoring your blood pressure correctly and doing what you can to limit dangerous symptoms. If you do not have diabetes, but experience some of the symptoms such as: extreme fatigue, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or frequent urination, get tested. By taking control or your health and keeping diseases such as diabetes under control you are preventing Heart Disease.

Know Your Cholesterol Levels

Do you know where your cholesterol levels stand? If not, here is your reminder to make an appointment with your doctor. By knowing where your cholesterol and triglyceride levels lie you can make dietary choices to increase health and reduce chances of Heart Disease. Understanding your biology allows for concious decisions when it comes to eating, making for a much healthier and happier you! 

Eat Healthy

How clean is your diet? Are you eating for a long and vibrant life? What you put into your body fuels it so be sure you are fueling your body and your hard-working heart with foods that will increase your quality of life. If you wish to learn more about foods that benefit your heart you can check out our recent blog: 10 Heart Healthy Foods. In this blog we give 10 reccomendations of foods that your heart will love and simple ways you can incorporate them into your diet. 

Keep Calm

Stress can be a huge trigger for an unhealthy body and an unhealthy heart. Limit your stress by managing your schedule, practicing mindfulness and taking the time to breath in fresh air. If you ever begin to notice your stress or anxiety rising take the time to excuse yourself from your current situation and take a few deep breaths. A little goes a long way when it comes to de-stressing your mind and body!

We hope you enjoyed our tips and thank you for a great #HeartMonth!

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.