Ways to Relax Your Heart
Everyone experiences stress in life, but not everyone deals with stress in the same way. Some get hot under the collar while others remain cool, calm, and collected. How you deal with severe stress can increase your risk for a number of health issues, including heart problems. Stress can affect your behavior and other factors that also contribute to the development of heart problems. Fortunately, you can protect your heart by chilling out this summer.
Excessive stress can lead to high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can force your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout your body. Hypertension can also cause coronary artery disease by narrowing your arteries or lead to heart failure by weakening your heart muscles.
Stress can also cause you to engage in behaviors that negatively affect the health of your heart. You may eat more and gain an unhealthy amount of weight, for example, or consume fatty or salty foods that can increase your blood pressure or blood cholesterol levels.
Relax, chill out, and take the easy way to heart health this summer.
Ways You Can Chill Out for Heart Health this Summer
Try yoga, meditation, or tai chi to lower stress hormones. A recent study shows yoga is good for your heart. Relaxing can help you decompress and get rid of stress.
Get together with family and friends. Research shows that people suffering from depression who do not have the support of friends or family members tend to have worse outcomes from heart problems. In other words, having the support of friends or family makes your heart happier.
Avoid getting too emotionally involved in stressful situations that aren’t really important in the long run. Research published in Clinical Cardiology showed the emotional stress sports fans feel after a loss can trigger fatal heart attacks.
Drink plenty of fluids, but go easy on the alcohol. Keeping your body hydrated helps your heart pump blood efficiently. Limit alcohol intake, for excessive use of alcohol can increase your blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Cut down on caffeine, which can trigger a rise in the “fight or flight” hormones your body releases during times of stress. Elevated stress hormones can cause inflammation that may lead to heart problems.
Take advantage of healthy, easy-to-prepare meals that feature fresh fruits and vegetables. Don’t bother firing up the grill for fatty burgers or steaks, as these foods contain saturated fats that clog your arteries. Instead, toss together a quick salad that lowers your cholesterol and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
This summer, relax your heart and improve your cardiovascular health by taking it easy. For additional tips you can utilize to improve your heart health, call 770-730-0119 and book an appointment with Virtual Imaging today!