Heart health is an important part of anyone’s path to living a long, healthy life. Heart disease is still the number one killer in this country, and, each day, more than a thousand people will succumb to a heart attack or complications of heart failure. In the borough of Queens, this trend is no different. In 2008, Queens Country had 264 deaths from heart disease for every 100,000 people. This is a little above the average for all of New York City. If you live in the Queens area and want to enjoy better heart health, here are some things to keep in mind:
Eating right is the number one thing to remember: There’s no doubt that Queens has a number of fine restaurants and food trucks, including Wafels and Dinges and The Taco Truck, but you should be mindful of what you eat. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you stay away from sources of saturated fats, like red meats, processed meats, dairy and coconut products; hydrogenated oils found in some peanut butters, cookies and pastries; foods high in salt like soups and most foods served in restaurants; and basically processed foods in general. Rather, you should stick with fruits and veggies, whole grains, nuts in moderation, and legumes. Although it’s okay to cheat every once in a while, you should make a habit of eating the right foods for a healthy heart.
Exercise at least thirty minutes a day: Now this doesn’t mean going to the gym every day to run on the treadmill. In fact, this isn’t recommended as you’ll most likely burn yourself out. Rather, you should aim to do daily activity for at least thirty minutes a day. While cardio, strength training and low impact aerobics like yoga or Pilates are certainly viable and recommended activities, any activity will do some good. Go for a hike with your family, walk the dog, or just do some work around the home. Do whatever it takes to get moving and stay off the couch. Also read 5 steps to better heart health.
Know your numbers and have a cardiologist and good GP: Unfortunately, many instances of heart disease give little warning before something terrible happens, so it’s important to stay on top of your numbers. This includes your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Knowing these numbers will give you and your GP time to alter medications and consider lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease. If you are in need of a cardiologist in Queens, there are many out there, so make sure to speak with your GP and find one who can best treat you. For more information read our article: How to screen for heart disease.
Put the butt out: Smoking just doesn’t affect how you breathe; it can also affect how well your heart beats. When you smoke, you release chemicals in your bloodstream that narrow the vessels over time. This leads to arthrosclerosis and heart disease. If you still smoke, seek a smoking cessation program that best suits your habit.
By following these tips and keeping stress out of your life, you’ll take major measures into protecting your heart and staying strong for years to come.
