HEART HEALTH

pressure and protect your heart health. Many of these modifications help lower cholesterol levels too.

Let’s take a look at each modification you can make to your lifestyle to improve your heart health.

Heart Health Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels are Key

Throughout the day, your heart beats approximately 108,000 times per day. The heart pumps oxygen and nutrients to the cells in your body via the blood. When you do not protect your heart, you are at risk of a heart attack or stroke. We have collected the top tips to help improve your heart health. Know Your Numbers The two most important numbers to understand when it comes to heart health is your blood pressure reading and your cholesterol levels. If either of these is too high, it can increase the risk of heart disease.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, occurs when the blood inside your arteries and veins press too forcefully against the walls of your blood vessels. High blood pressure is linked to heart disease, as well as several health issues. Blood pressure readings consist of a top and a bottom number. The top number on a blood pressure reading shows the pressure inside your arteries when your heart contracts. Conversely, the bottom number indicates the pressure inside your arteries when your heart relaxes. High Blood Pressure High blood pressure occurs when the force of your blood increases inside your arteries. If elevated blood pressure/ hypertension, is not treated, damage can happen to your arteries, kidneys, heart and other organs in your body. This damage can lead to kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks, memory loss, chest pain, erectile dysfunction, respiratory issues, circulation problems and a host of other health issues. How to Lower Blood Pressure Readings There are quite a few lifestyle modifications you can make to reduce your blood by Alex Leon

28 Washington, D.C. NaturalAwakeningsDC.com Healthy Diet: Decrease sodium consumption to less than 1500 milligrams, limit sugar and fats.

Exercise: Get a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk exercise each day to help decrease blood pressure readings.

Weight Loss: Losing as little as 10 percent of your body weight can significantly improve blood pressure readings.

Avoid Tobacco: Tobacco usage and secondhand smoke can increase blood pressure.

Limit Alcohol: Do not drink more than one to two servings of alcoholic beverages daily.

Cholesterol Levels

If you are like most people, you have heard of cholesterol and know that it is vital to protect your cholesterol health, but you may not know exactly what cholesterol is and what it does. In addition to cholesterol from the foods you eat, your body creates cholesterol.

There are two different types of cholesterol in the body. High-density lipoproteins are known as good cholesterol, while low-density lipoproteins are known as bad cholesterol. The body uses highdensity lipoproteins to create hormones and vitamin D, aid in digestion and help protect against heart disease. Conversely, low-density lipoproteins can cause plaque to build up in your arteries, increasing the risk of developing heart disease.

How to Lower Cholesterol Levels There are various things you could do to improve your overall heart health. Making healthy lifestyle changes can lower your cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Even if you don’t suffer from high cholesterol, making these changes can reduce the risk of developing heart disease.