Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, monitoring cholesterol levels, and keeping blood pressure normal are some simple tips provided to improve heart health. Regular exercise, even just 10-15 minutes a day, helps strengthen the heart. Factors like genetics, saturated fat intake, and obesity influence heart disease risks, so adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent common causes of death like heart attacks.

1. Five Steps to Living a Heart-Healthy Life
Heart disease is the number one killer for both men and women, but research shows
that most heart attacks and other causes of heart disease death can be prevented.
Here are some simple tips to improve your heart health from Affiliated Physicians:
1) Quit Smoking!
Because cigarette smoking is so prevalent and destructive, it has been identified by the U.S. Surgeon
General as the single most preventable cause of disease and premature death in the nation. Smoking
increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and coronary heart disease.
2) Watch Your Waistline
The risks to heart health that are associated with obesity include heart attacks, heart failure,
cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, along with a multiple of other negative health
effects. Choose a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and high in lean protein, fruits and
vegetables, healthy oils and whole grains. Take care to your heart by maintaining the proper weight
for your age and body type.
3) Keep Moving
As little as a half hour of exercise daily can protect your heart. Aerobic activities such as walking,
running and swimming strengthen the heart and help keep it robust. We all have busy schedules and
hectic lifestyles, and fitting in a daily workout can be challenging. However, it's important to
remember that exercise doesn't have to be done all at once to be beneficial. We can all fit in 10-15
minutes here and there, if we make it a priority.
4) Monitor Your Cholesterol Levels
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is the "good" cholesterol, while low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is the "bad" cholesterol. A high level of LDL in the blood is a
significant risk factor for hardening of the arteries. Factors that influence cholesterol are genetics
and eating a diet heavy in saturated fats and trans fats. Have your cholesterol checked and learn
ways to control or maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
5) Maintain Normal Blood Pressure
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure. High
blood pressure is considered to be anything over 120 for systolic blood pressure and 80 for diastolic
blood pressure. If your blood pressure is high, take it seriously and visit a physician.
Since 1982, Affiliated Physicians has achieved widespread recognition as a provider of corporate health care
services to companies across the nation. Offering a range of services from on-site flu vaccinations and
wellness programs to complete executive physical exams, Affiliated Physicians provides personalized and
flexible solutions to meet client needs. For more information, please visit
http://www.affiliatedphysicians.net/ or call (877) 292.5546.