When we think of our heart, what comes to mind? Is it something that we prioritize, or is it something that we rarely think about? In our opinion, the heart is the key organ in the body that maintains our life, therefore we would hope that most people would think about and prioritize their heart health. Unfortunately, as of 2018, approximately 30.3 million people suffer from heart disease, according to Healthline¹, which means that there are a lot of people that don’t often think about their heart as much as they should. Even while we’re young, we should always make sure that our hearts are strong both physically and emotionally as this is the key to ensuring a longer quality of life. Luckily, this isn’t a difficult task. Here are a few ways that we can naturally strengthen our heart health.
Keep Your Body Moving
The heart is a muscle in our body, and similar to all other muscles, it must constantly be worked in order to gain strength. So if the heart is constantly in a resting state, it will not gain the strength that it needs to be able to function properly and can lead to heart disease or heart failure. Some of the best ways to keep the heart pumping is to exercise. This doesn’t necessarily have to mean one has to perform insane workouts on a daily basis. However, a one mile walk through the park, a bike ride around the neighborhood or a simple hike in the woods can do wonders for the mind, body and heart strength.
Eat Right
One of the major factors of heart disease is obesity, which can cause a number of problems such as Type 2 Diabetes, high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest. At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we recommend the Paleo Diet for heart health to ensure that all of the body’s energy is created from all natural, organic and grass-fed produce. The purpose of the diet is to eliminate all preservatives, chemicals and toxins that can potentially cause obesity from the system. Some foods that are recommended are leafy green grass-fed vegetables, all types of berries, fatty fish (that contain fish oils), and sugar free dark chocolate.
Stop Smoking
As of today, most people should be aware of the harsh side effects of tobacco and smoking cigarettes, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that this bad habit can cause lung cancer, breathing problems, blood clots and heart attacks. Nicotine can inflict a lot of damage to the heart such as:
- reducing oxygen to the heart
- increases blood pressure
- increases heart rate
- blocks arteries
- harms the interior of the blood vessels
Even for those who do have a history of smoking, the sooner the habit is broken, the more likely one is to rebuild a strong heart. WebMD stated that the moment someone quits smoking, “the odds of getting heart disease or high blood pressure will drop”².
Don’t Rely On Medications
For those who suffer with heart issues such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol may likely be prescribed heart pills and medications. While sometimes the use of medications might be beneficial when it is appropriate, they should be used as an adjunct to lifestyle improvements rather than a replacement of personal responsibility. These pills are not meant to be taken in the long-term, and if they are, this means that they are merely covering a symptom of the real problem. The heart needs nutrients, proteins, and the right stimulation to be able to function properly. LifeWorks Wellness Center recommends PerfectAmino supplements to produce the right amino acids and proteins that the heart needs to build its strength. The best part about PerfectAmino is that it’s natural and will help the heart gain the nutrients it needs rather than using prescription medication.
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
While it is not a direct contributing factor to heart disease, studies have shown that people with gum disease are three times more at risk of having cardiac arrests and/or strokes. An article published by Harvard Medical School concluded that there is a “growing suspicion that gum disease may be an independent risk factor for heart disease³.” Both conditions are caused by different types of plaque blocking certain parts of the body. In gum disease, plaque builds up around the teeth, meanwhile heart disease can be caused by a fatty plaque blockage in the arteries. So what do they have to do with each other? Everything that happens in the oral cavities effects the rest of the body, therefore if bacteria starts within the gums, it has the ability to spread elsewhere, including the heart. Teeth and gums that are well taken-care-of can be a huge difference in one’s all-around health.
Control Your Stress
Anxiety and stress have tendencies to elevate our blood pressure, and chronic stress can have a negative impact on our heart health. According to the American Heart Association, “heart disease is a potential stress-related problem4.” Stress is an emotional trigger in the brain when an individual is placed into a highly overwhelming or pressurized situation. It is a normal human reaction and it happens to everyone at some point. If one feels stressed on a daily basis, this can take a toll on the heart and can increase high blood pressure, strokes and cardiovascular disease. Please speak with a practitioner about your chronic stress and the ways that you can best manage it naturally.
The heart is the most essential part of the human body and at LifeWorks we encourage our patients to think and care about it more often using natural remedies. For patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease, we offer multiple different treatments to help with their heart health and blood flow.
If you are looking to improve your cardiovascular health, please call to schedule an appointment with us at 727-466-6789.
