Heart disease is a major concern for older adults. More than 70% of people above 60 years old have heart disease and it is the number-one cause of death for people aged 65 years old and over. Hence, it is crucial for every older adult to think about heart disease and what they can do for preventing heart disease. Here is some advice to help you maintain good heart health.
Quit Smoking
If you are a non-smoker, congratulations. You are already one step closer to preventing heart disease. If you are a smoker, it is never too late to kick the habit. Regardless of your age and how long you have been smoking, you will still get to reap great health benefits if you quit now. Within mere weeks of quitting smoking, your risk of getting heart disease will begin to decrease.
Start Exercising
Exercising can be a tough habit to keep up with at any age. However, with pains and aches that are growing, it can be even harder to get started. Nevertheless, you must know that exercising does offer plenty of health benefits. It can improve your balance, strengthen your muscles, and help prevent many diseases that can make your life tougher as an older adult. For older adults, there are many different types of exercises that you can try which do not come with a high risk of injury. You can slowly perform low-intensity workouts at your own pace and do not overexert yourself.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
We all have heard all our life about the importance of incorporating fruits and veggies into our daily diet. However, most of us had probably ignored that advice when we were younger. Now that we have aged, it matters more than ever. Determine the kinds of fruits and veggies that you like and gradually incorporate them into your daily meals. There are many simple yet very tasty recipes you can follow online. If you are not much of a cook, there are always food delivery options that are convenient and fast. Once you have grown accustomed to consuming greens, you will find yourself feeling healthier.
Eat Less Red Meat
Steak and potatoes are an all-time favorite for many of us Americans. However, they are not something that you should stick to with age. Eat less red meat and switch to meats that are healthier such as chicken and fish. You may also consider being vegetarian if you have always loved greens. You will feel so much healthier in no time.
Eat Less Sugar
Health experts have always recommended us to cut down on our sugar intake. It is not the natural sugars found in fruits that you need to be worried about. It is the added sugars found in candy, sodas, and processed juices that are the killer. Before you purchase any food or drink items off the shelves, always check the ingredient list. Try going for alternatives that do not have any added sugar. If you have always had a sweet tooth, this is the best time to change your preferences.
