7 Lifestyle Changes for a Healthier Heart

Heart disease is a leading cause of death for American men and women, making up about 1 in every 5 deaths. 

Fortunately, there are many ways you can change your lifestyle that may help reduce your risk for heart disease.

“Even if you have ‘bad genes’ for heart disease and high cholesterol, what you do and how you live can have a huge impact on your outcome and on your health,” says Paul Knoepflmacher, MD, Internist with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

What are 7 ways to lower your risk of heart disease?

Here are some tips from the experts to boost your health health, including:

1. Minimize your salt intake. Salt-heavy diets may increase your blood pressure, which may put a strain on your heart over time. Steering away from processed, packaged, and restaurant foods —and instead focusing on fresh foods — may help you reduce your sodium intake.

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.  Doing so may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 13 percent, or more. Plus, fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium and fiber, which may help manage your blood pressure and cholesterol, according to Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, Nutritionist in New York City.

3. Lose weight. “Being overweight or obese puts a strain on your heart,” says Dr. Knoepflmacher. “It leads to increased risk of diabetes [and] high blood pressure, both of which are major factors and risks for heart disease.” Talk to your provider about ways that you can get to a healthier weight.

4. Limit saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends that you get no more than 5 or 6 percent of your total calories from saturated fat. To do this, you can switch to low-fat or non-fat dairy products and leaner cuts of meat.

5. Incorporate exercise into your routine. Regular exercise may improve your heart and lung function. Aim for moderate-intensity workouts like brisk walking, jogging, or cycling for at least 30 minutes five days a week. Always check with your doctor to better understand which physical exercises are safe for you.

6. Reduce stress. Stress may actually cause your heart rate and blood pressure to rise temporarily. Too much stress in your life can be another risk factor for developing heart disease. Try to manage your stress by getting enough sleep, making time for friends and family, or doing yoga or breathing exercises.

7. Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, because it narrows your blood vessels and stresses your cardiovascular system. If you quit, heart health may start to improve right away. “The health benefits of stopping smoking commence immediately,” says Dr. Knoepflmacher.  That said, prolonged smoking may leave some chronic changes in your cardiovascular system, so it's much better to never start. 

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to practicing medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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