Heart health tips: American cardiologist recommends simple lifestyle changes to prevent cardiovascular disease

Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death in the United States. The American Heart Association estimates up to 90% of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable with education and action.
There are many things that can put you at risk for heart disease, such as family history of cardiovascular disease, other existing conditions that can lead to heart problems and more. With over 30 years of heart disease prevention experience, I know that reducing your risk is possible, and I want everyone to understand how small changes can have big impacts on long-term heart health.
The best thing you can do to improve heart health is to create a good lifestyle plan that is designed to strengthen your cardiovascular system. A good plan should start with the 8 simple steps.
(Dr. Kathleen Drinan, Clinical Cardiologist at UChicago Medicine)

Exercise and regular physical activity can provide many benefits, both to the body and brain. Nearly half of the population does not meet the minimum recommended amount of exercise for a healthy heart. A good first step is to carve out either:
75 minutes or more per week of vigorous aerobic activity
150 minutes or more per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity
If you are new to exercising, do not let this discourage you. You can start small, with 15 minutes of vigorous exercise 5 days a week or 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week.
Try breaking up your exercise into 3 to 4 sessions throughout the week. For example, 10 to 15 minutes of brisk walking at a time can be a more manageable goal. There are many ways to get active. You may find walking the easiest way to start. When you are ready, you can add other activities, such as hiking, running, dancing, water aerobics, swimming and more.

Introduce a heart-healthy diet, it's never too late to change your diet. We have all heard how important it is to eat a heart-healthy diet, but what does this mean?
Making healthy food choices like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products can be very important. If you are looking for ways to lower your risk of heart disease, small changes can have a big and positive impact. Start by focusing more on plant-based foods and emphasizing:
Whole grains
Fruits and vegetables
Legumes
Nuts
Other high-fiber
For those who have (or are at risk for) hypertension, the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet stresses lessening your sodium intake and adding more good fats into your meals to reduce your blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
Additionally, to decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, we should all try reducing the amount of carbohydrates, processed food and trans fats we eat.

High cholesterol contributes to plaque in the heart, which can clog the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. When you control your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries their best chance to limit blockages.
If you currently have high cholesterol, lifestyle changes and/or adding a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as statins, can help control your cholesterol long term. Identifying this early and working with your physician on a plan will help prevent heart disease moving forward.

Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, which may not sound life threatening, but if it’s not controlled quickly, it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, blindness and more.
Checking your blood pressure regularly, whether from your doctor or at home, can keep hypertension from sneaking up on you. The earlier it is detected, the sooner you can get and keep control of your blood pressure.
For some people, mild diet changes and exercise is enough, and others may need medications in addition to lifestyle changes. Talk to your physician about what you can do to prevent or control hypertension.

Maintaining a healthy weight, will reduce stress on your heart, lungs, blood vessels and joints, in addition to making yourself feel better. Weight management, including medical weight loss, can help you with a long-term plan. So staying at that optimal weight is what we'd all like to see our patients continue to do.

The number one thing anyone can do to prevent heart disease is to stop smoking. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. Giving up the habit can have a huge effect on your health, life span and ability to enjoy life down the road.
Being open with your doctor about your tobacco use is important so we can help understand what barriers may exist that slow your progress and help you quit.

Eat healthy to keep your heart healthy

The most important step in managing your blood sugar level is understanding what makes blood sugar rise.
The carbohydrates and sugars you eat and drink turns into glucose (sugar) in the stomach and digestive system. Glucose enters into the blood stream, and insulin – a hormone made in the pancreas – helps glucose in the blood remain in a healthy range.
Healthcare providers can take blood glucose readings and provide you with recommendations if your glucose levels are concerning. If you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you will need to monitor your blood sugar regularly. Our diabetes specialists can help you manage type 2 diabetes.

Sleep is a foundational element of human biology and a requirement for life. Sleep health is complex and impacts daytime alertness. It has been shown that people who do not regularly sleep at least 7 to 8 hours a night are more likely to have high blood pressure and heart disease.
Common conditions that can negatively affect your heart over time include:
Sleep apnea
Insomnia
Sleep deprivation
If you consistently have problems sleeping, take steps to regulate your sleep schedule and improve your sleep quality to protect your heart health.
Establish realistic goals and make small, lasting changes to set yourself up for success. Make sure to find ways to move throughout your daily routine, whether it’s at work, on your commute or at home. Every active minute counts toward your goal. Once you reach these goals, don’t stop. Gradually increase your activity, dietary changes and intensity to gain even more health benefits.

Practice these things every day so it becomes a regular habit. Put it on your schedule so you’re less likely to miss a day, and these eight ways will help you lead a healthier, happier lifestyle.