Health Line
Here are some simple tips for improving your heart’s health:
- Exercise at least 30 minutes each day. Don’t push it: a brisk walk is all you need. And remember, it’s cumulative time that counts.
- Reduce Fat Intake. Your total amount of daily fat should not exceed 30 percent of your daily caloric intake.
- Use Mono-unsaturated Fats such as olive oil or canola oil. Buy cold pressed oils to take advantage of higher antioxidant levels.
- Eat Fish. Omega 3-fats is good for you. You can also get omega-3 fats from ground flaxseed. Adding 2 tablespoons per day to your diet can give you a good amount of omega-3 fats.
- Take a Daily Multi-Vitamin containing B-6, B-12, and folic acid.
- Eat Nuts when you snack. They contain “good” fats.
- Drink Green or Black Tea to stock up on antioxidants. Some experts suggest you drink an occasional alcoholic beverage, such as a glass of red wine, to improve your heart heath.
- Add Fiber to your diet. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains. Eating fruits and vegetables also gives your body needed antioxidants.
- Eat Soy. Soybeans, tofu, and soy milk all help to reduce “bad” cholesterol.
- Use substitutes such as low cholesterol butter to help keep fat and cholesterol levels in check.
- Stop Smoking. Need I say more?
- Find Ways to Reduce Stress in your daily life. Find a good activity such as yoga or a hobby to help you keep calm and maintain a positive attitude.
- Release Anger. Nurture healthy, loving relationships. Studies show that individuals who have strong connections with others tend to be healthier overall.
- Get Regular Physical Check-ups that include cholesterol and blood pressure checks.
Most of these suggestions are fairly simple to follow. If you would like more specifics on heart disease, www.americanheart.org is full of great information or you can call them at 1-800-242-8721. Don’t become one of the statistics. Start on the road to a healthier heart today! Recognizing a Stroke
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
- Ask the individual to Smile.
- Ask him or her to Raise Both Arms.
- Ask the person to Speak a Simple Sentence.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
By Neil Ricci
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