Protecting your heart health is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Research has shown that it is never too young, or too old, to take care of the heart.
Scientists from the American Heart Association suggest that no matter what your age, you can always benefit from a heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity.
When you are in your mid-life, you need to start making healthy choices, which can strengthen your heart for the long run.
In your 40s, you can do three things to improve your heart health:
Keep a healthy body weight
Your metabolic functions may slow down in your 40s. You need to avoid weight gain by following a heart-healthy diet and getting plenty of exercises.
Check your blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels
Experts suggest adults have a fasting blood glucose test by the time they’re 45.
Testing may be done earlier or more frequently if you are overweight, diabetic or at risk of type 2 diabetes
It is also important to check blood pressure and other heart-health conditions.
Check your risk of sleep apnea
One in five adults has at least mild sleep apnea. This condition can cause pauses in breathing during sleep.
If not treated, sleep apnea may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
In your 50s, aging starts to have an impact on your heart. You need to do several things to protect your heart:
Eat a heart-healthy diet
This is the time you really need to change unhealthy eating habits.
You need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, oily fatty fish, nuts, beans and reduce your intake of meat.
Some dietary patterns, such as the DASH and the Mediterranean diet, may protect your heart health.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke
Getting familiar with the symptoms can make you act fast when an emergency occurs.
It is important to know that not everyone experiences the same symptoms and that heart attack symptoms in women can be different than men.
Stick to your treatment
If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or other health conditions, you need to follow your treatment plan to manage the conditions.
This can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
In your 60s, you may have an increased risk of heart disease. Your blood pressure, cholesterol and other health numbers may rise.
You can do several things to keep your heart strong:
Do an ankle-brachial index test
This test examines the pulses in the feet to diagnose peripheral artery disease. In the disease, plaque builds up in the leg arteries.
Keep a healthy body weight
When you are older, you need fewer calories. Obesity may force your heart to work harder and increases the risk of heart disease.
You can exercise regularly and eating smaller portions of meals to control body weight.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke
This becomes more important as you get older.
Knowing when you’re having a heart attack or stroke can help you get immediate help when the disease occurs.
Quick treatment can save your life and prevent serious disability.
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