How to Eat Right and Exercise Heart Disease

Eating right and exercising are two of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease. Here are some tips for making healthy changes to your lifestyle:

Eating Right

* Choose whole grains, fruits, and vegetables over processed foods.

* Limit unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, and choose healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

* Choose lean protein sources, such as fish, chicken, and beans.

* Limit added sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of heart disease.

* Drink plenty of water.

Exercising

* Adults ages 18 to 64 should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.

* Children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

* Adults ages 65 and older should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week, as well as muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week.

* If you have any health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about what type and how much exercise is right for you.

Other Tips for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease

* Don't smoke. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your heart health.

* Manage your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.

* Control your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease.

* Manage your diabetes. Diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease.

* Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease.

* Get enough sleep. When you don't get enough sleep, your body produces more stress hormones, which can increase your risk of heart disease.

* Manage your stress. Stress can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, which can put you at risk for heart disease.

By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your overall health and well-being.