Reducing Your Risk for Heart Disease

For people who are at high risk for heart disease, taking aspirin every day or every other day can help reduce that risk, however you should consult your doctor before undertaking an aspirin a day. For most people, taking aspirin is safe. But for some, aspirin increases the chance of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. And there is a small chance that aspirin will increase your risk for some kinds of stroke, that is why it is alway prudent to speak with your doctor first.

There are ways that you can reduce your risk for heart disease:

- Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Watch what you eat and your weight

- Maintain a healthy weight. To stay at a healthy weight, you need to balance the number of calories you eat with the number you burn off by your activities

- Eat right. Eating the right foods and the right amounts, may avoid the risks of heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure. A healthy diet provides vitamins and minerals your body needs. Try to eat vegetables that are rich in color, dark leafy and deep yellow vegetables, like green peas, spinach and carrots. Eat fruits try to include melons, berries, oranges and grapefruit. Include eggs, fish and meat into your diet. Poultry should be prepared without the skin. Also include dairy products, milk or yogurt are always good choices.

- Stay physically active. Try to do moderate exercise each day, strive to walk 3000 steps a day. Choose something that fits into your daily
life. Choose an activity you like, if you enjoy dancing this is a fine time to take your significant other out for an evening of fun. You can always ask a friend to take a stroll with you, this way you have companionship and not only you but your friend is also getting the exercise that they need to keep healthy.

- Quit smoking