A heart-healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be an unattainable fairy tale. Here are a few easy steps you can take to ensure every heartbeat is a happily ever after.

Your heart works tirelessly to supply the blood and nutrients your body needs to sustain life. When the heart is exposed to risk factors such as genetics, high cholesterol, smoking or a sedentary lifestyle, it can begin to lose function and you may experience chest pain or even a heart attack.

“While there are several things you may do to keep your heart healthy, sometimes hearts still need special care,” Fred Leya, MD, director of interventional cardiology at Loyola University Health System, said. “For these times, Loyola offers a variety of state-of-the-art treatment options for multiple heart conditions.”

Be Good to Your Heart
Here are a few tips that can help you reduce your risk of heart disease.

Know your family history. Your risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a heart attack increases if you have a mother, father or sibling who had heart problems by age 40 or 50. Ask your physician about healthy steps such as diet and exercise that you can take to lower your risk.

Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke exposure.

Keep your cholesterol low. This means your LDL, or bad cholesterol, level should be less than 130 mg if you are healthy.  If you currently have a heart condition or are at high risk for heart disease, ask your physician what levels are healthy for you.

Eat a balanced diet. A Mediterranean-style diet packed with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, olive oil, nuts and seeds has been proven to yield heart-healthy benefits. When choosing meats, pick lean meats such as chicken and turkey and limit your intake of red meat, which often contains more fat.

Get adequate exercise. Participating in at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity most days of the week can keep your heart healthy. Join a walking group, jog with a friend, swim at your local gym, play a game of basketball with your children or go dancing with your partner — it doesn’t matter what activity you choose, just get moving!

To Learn more about keeping your heart healthy visit our Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine. Call (888) LUHS-888 to make an appointment with a Loyola physician.