3 Everyday Heart-Healthy Habits

3 Simple Ways to Support Your Cardiovascular Health

With heart disease being the leading cause of death for both men and women, it's essential to make the necessary lifestyle changes to minimize the risk of developing it. Here are some small lifestyle changes that can make a significant positive impact on your cardiovascular health.

1. Take a Daily Walk

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), adults should aim to get at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. While that may seem difficult to work into your weekly schedule, that works out to being just 30 minutes of exercise a day, 5 days out of the week.

Although many people picture doing sports or hitting the gym when thinking of physical activity, you can also bolster your heart health by taking a daily walk. Set aside time for a brisk walk (at least 2.5 miles per hour) each day to lower your risk of heart disease.

2. Get Better Quality Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of good quality rest each night. When you get enough sleep, it helps to support your heart health by lowering your blood pressure, which effectively reduces your risk of developing heart disease.

Some tips to help you get better quality rest include:

• Going to bed and waking up on a set sleep schedule.
• Keep your bedroom dark and cool in temperature.
• Avoid artificial light and electronics just before bed.
• Start winding down 30 minutes before bed.
• Try to get physical activity during the day.

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking and using tobacco products can cause extensive damage to various areas of your cardiovascular system—including your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Quitting is one of the easiest ways to improve your heart health. In fact, some of the many cardiovascular health benefits of quitting include:

• Reduces risk of developing or dying from heart disease.
• Improves cholesterol levels.
• Reduces risk of having or dying from stroke.
• Reduces the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Reduces the risk of having or dying from a heart attack.

If you have more questions about your current heart health and what lifestyle changes may be appropriate to improve your condition, reach out to your cardiovascular care team.

Cardiology Services in Lancaster, CA

At Antelope Valley Medical Center, we offer advanced treatments for commonly encountered complex heart conditions, and patients can expect top-of-the-line care from our team. Our heart doctors are specially trained and have extensive experience in all aspects of cardiovascular care.

Call (661) 949-5000 or visit our dedicated cardiology page for more information.