Beating Heart Disease: What You Can Do for a Healthy Heart

Taking care of your heart is fairly simple considering how miraculous and complex the heart actually is. This organ, which is about the size of your fist, pumps blood and generates oxygen to fuel all of your body's major organs. Taking care of your heart is also good for the rest of your body as well.

To get a healthy heart, you should cut down on your fat intake. Although fat adds flavor and takes essential vitamins and nutrients to our key organs, too much of it can block our arteries and increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. A good way to protect yourself from cardiac stress is to cook with vegetable oils and limit foods that contain trans fats or hydrogenated fats. There are good fats that include olive oils, nut oils, and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Fiber is very important to the health of your heart. Fiber-rich foods include seeds, grains, herbs, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Fiber is indigestible and helps us to reduce the absorption of fat, cholesterol and triglycerides.

Get rid of extra salt in your diet. Extra sodium can overload the kidneys' ability to regulate blood pressure, which may put extra stress on your heart. Use spices and herbs for added flavor and when choosing frozen or prepared meals, check the sodium content.

Exercise or some type of physical activity is necessary to keep your muscles strong and to put out oxygen throughout your body. This also helps keep your arteries free of plaque and helps the body convert food into energy.

To really take care of your heart there are of few things you should do. Know your risk factors, including your family history. Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor. Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you are diabetic, manage your condition as your doctor has instructed.

Also, you should know the warning signs of a heart attack: a feeling of breathlessness, sometimes without chest pain, symptoms of flu including clamminess, cold sweats, and nausea, pain in the upper back, shoulders, neck or jaw, anxious feelings, and unexplained excessive fatigue or trouble sleeping. If you have any of these symptoms, you should call 9-1-1 immediately or seek medical attention.

For women, heart disease is the #1 killer in America. Contrary to popular belief, heart disease does not affect just men. There are risk factors that could increase your chances for heart disease which include: being diabetic, having high blood pressure or cholesterol, having a family history of heart disease, not being physically active, if you are under stress or are post-menopausal. If you are at increased risk, you should pay special attention to your heart.