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IF YOU HAVE HEART DISEASE, DO THIS<\/strong><\/p>\n Dial Up Your Diet<\/strong><\/p>\n You want to make better food choices in favour of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It\u2019s going to take some time to make the shift. There are apps available for most smartphones or tablets to help you. Some can scan items in the grocery store for information, and others can give the nutrition breakdown for the food you eat during the day. Browse your app store to find the right ones for you. You also might want to talk to a dietician who can help you understand what foods are the healthiest for you.<\/p>\n Make Time to Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n Work in a workout to reap the benefits of some physical activity. You don\u2019t have to go to the gym to exercise, and you don\u2019t have to commit to long, hard sessions. You can break your training into smaller sets. You can even slip in some exercise at work. Need to make a 10-minute phone call? Put on your headset and walk while you talk.<\/p>\n Mind Your Mood<\/strong><\/p>\n When you have a serious condition, it is natural to get discouraged, but get help if depression sets in. It\u2019s important to stay active and eat right, and that can be hard to do when you\u2019re down. So be aware of when your spirits get too low. Recognize the signs and talk to your doctor. Treatment may include exercise, talking with a therapist, and for some people, medication.<\/p>\n Check Your Meds<\/strong><\/p>\n Some over-the-counter pain medicines can make a heart attack more likely. Ibuprofen and naproxen are NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and have been linked to heart problems. Ask your doctor what you should take for everyday aches and pains.<\/p>\n Treat Yourself to a Little Chocolate<\/strong><\/p>\n Chocolate, in small amounts, is good for your heart. Cocoa has nutrients including flavonoids and antioxidants, both of which support cardiac health. It\u2019s best to choose dark chocolate without a lot of fat-adding ingredients such as peanut butter. Enjoy! But try to limit yourself to 1-2 ounces per week.<\/p>\n Get a Flu Shot<\/strong><\/p>\n If you already have heart disease, your body might not have as much strength to fight off the flu, which can make you more likely to have a heart attack or get pneumonia.<\/p>\n So get vaccinated every year by October, to avoid catching it. You\u2019ll need the flu shot, not the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine.<\/p>\n Turn Down Your Snore Volume<\/strong><\/p>\n Does your partner complain you\u2019re a noisy sleeper? You may have sleep apnea, which is strongly linked to heart disease. Pay attention to your body and know when you don\u2019t get enough sleep. Talk to your doctor. You may need to spend a night in a sleep lab to get a better idea of what keeps you up.<\/p>\n Keep Calm and Relax<\/strong><\/p>\n Make it a priority to de-stress and avoid anxiety. Find ways that work for you, whether it’s meditation or prayer, exercise, or a hobby you love. You can also ask your doctor about stress management classes or support groups for people with heart disease.<\/p>\n If You Smoke Anything, Stop<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether you choose an old-fashioned method such as cold turkey or one of the many quit-smoking medicines, you can find plenty of options. Nicotine comes in many forms such as lozenges, gum, and inhalers. Pills and quit-smoking support groups might help, too. Vaping might not carry the same cancer risk as smoking regular cigarettes, but you still get nicotine, which can damage heart cells.<\/p>\n Ask About Your Drinking Habits<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not a drinker, a diagnosis of heart disease is no reason to start. If you want to have an adult beverage, moderation is the key. Check with your doctor first. You may have heard that wine is better for you than other types, but the research on that isn\u2019t clear. Too much alcohol of any kind can raise the levels of some blood fats and lead to high blood pressure and heart failure.<\/p>\n Keep Up with Your Care<\/strong><\/p>\n Your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels are just a few of the things your doctor will check on regularly. Your doctor may want you to measure blood pressure at home. That can help show how you\u2019re doing over a period of time. Some people get stressed during check-ups, which can drive up your numbers. So if you check it at home or in stores, jot down your results then, too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IF YOU HAVE HEART DISEASE, DO THIS Dial Up Your Diet You want to make better food choices in favour of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It\u2019s going to take some time to make the shift. There are apps available for most smartphones or tablets to help you. Some can scan items in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-healthy-tips"],"yoast_head":"\n