Eat.Move.Connect. Tip: 4 Simple Steps Toward Better Heart Health

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A single choice doesn't matter most of the time. Having dessert one night, taking a walk on another and deciding to skip an outing with friends aren't life-changing choices. A daily choice is small, like a pebble. But like pebbles, when you keep reaching for the same choices, they can amass into something significant.

If you want to improve your heart health, science tells us that making simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. And better heart health is undoubtedly on the minds of many Americans. One in three adults live with one or more types of cardiovascular disease, according a review published in the journal Circulation. Over time, changes in the heart and blood vessels can lead to a host of devastating problems, including heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

But the good news is you can make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk and make yourself healthier. Here are four tips to get there.

Don't chase diet fads: Stick with a Mediterranean-based diet, which is based on simple, whole, healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, olive oil and fish. The upside is the Mediterranean diet checks off many boxes in terms of achieving better health. It promotes heart and brain health, weight loss, cancer prevention, and diabetes prevention and control. Recent research also shows it can reduce the risk of stroke.

Get more exercise: The recommendations are very simple here. The Surgeon General recommends 2.5 hours of moderate intensity each week for good heart health. That's just over 20 minutes a day. While some people love the idea of getting super fit with an intense program, the truth is that all it takes is simple changes.

Find a friend: This surprising but true tip has some truth. Seeking companionship, whether it's through an outing with a friend, joining a club or attending a family member's school function can add up to good heart health. Without community and companionship, depression is more likely to set in, which is linked to higher rates of heart disease.

Be informed: When it comes to your body, knowledge empowers you to make decisions to improve your health. Consult with your doctor, so you can make that targeted plan to improve your health.

Story Credit: http://www.crowrivermedia.com/big_fish_lifestyle/living/eat-move-connect-tip-simple-steps-toward-better-heart-health/article_afd70145-1ab0-5e5d-96f2-cd55b32ecacb.html