You see it all the time…Live a Heart Healthy Lifestyle. But what does that mean and how do you do it?
- Get active – 150 minutes of moderate activity a week is a good place to start
- Eat healthy – get plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, skinless poultry, fish, nuts, and legumes; eat fewer processed foods, fried foods and foods high in salt. Berries are a good choice because they are packed with nutrients and are rich in antioxidants.
- Stay at a healthy weight – an optimal Body Mass Index (BMI), weight in relation to height, is 18.5-24.9
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
- Control your cholesterol – eat foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol
- Control your blood pressure – a good blood pressure range is less than 120/less than 80
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Manage stress
- Take medication as prescribed
- Get healthy sleep – most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night
- Manage your blood sugar – a Hemoglobin A1C of less than 5.7% is considered normal
Did you know:
- Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee per day is associated with maintaining a healthy heart.
- Albacore Tuna (troll or pole caught) and Salmon (wild caught) are the healthiest fish to eat.
- Spinach is the most nutrient dense vegetable.
- You should drink 8-12 cups of water per day.
- The tarter the fruit, the better it is for you. Tart fruit contains more antioxidants.
- Raspberries are the healthiest fruit.
If you or someone in your family are facing aging challenges, please give us a call at 480-804-7200 or email us at Heather@DesertCareManagement.com. We’ll be happy to assist!