Is the deck stacked against you when it comes to genetics and heart disease? If so, I’m right there with you. However, this isn’t a pass to just say “oh well, nothing you can do about it” and proceed to live an unhealthy lifestyle.

Heart disease and heart attacks are for the most part preventable. Deaths due to coronary heart disease have significantly decreased since 1980.

Here are 5 steps you can take right now to beat the odds:

1. Know your numbers

   Go to the free health screenings to have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked. Discuss with your doctor to determine how often more in depth lab work should be completed. Ignorance is not going to help you.

   For cholesterol, the American Heart Association provides the following recommendations:
   Continue reading ‘Reduce Your Heart Attack Risk’ »

You’ve heard or read over and over that you have to eat right and exercise to keep your heart healthy. Well, not only do unhealthy habits impact your heart they also affect your brain.

French researchers studied 5,123 men and women over a 17-year period of time. Participants with the greatest number of unhealthy behaviors were three times more likely to have poor thinking abilities and twice as likely to have memory problems compared to those living healthier lifestyles.

There are four lifestyle factors associated with negative health effects:
Continue reading ‘A Healthy Heart Equals a Healthy Mind’ »

We are three weeks into the new year, how are you doing with your New Year’s resolution?

If you are working to improve your health, physical activity must be a part of your plan. There are numerous benefits associated with physical activity, such as weight loss, lower blood pressure, improved arthritis, pain management, and improved cardiorespiratory fitness.

Research indicates that you need at least 150 minutes of moderate level activity each week in order to see the benefits of exercise. This can be broken down into 20 minutes each day or 30 minutes 5 days a week and should include both aerobic and strength training.

This isn’t a lot of time, but if your days are already packed scheduling time for a workout can be a challenge. Here are five tips to keep in mind as you plan your workout routine.

1. Workout in the morning if possible.

   Research has shown those who exercise in the morning tend to see more success. This is partly due to getting exercise out of the way first thing before obstacles can get in the way.

Continue reading ‘5 Tips for Planning Your Workout Routine’ »

Do you understand the importance of being regularly active to promote heart health? However, you know this and still remain sedentary? Is this because the thought of exercise makes you think of a gym membership, spandex, and everyone watching you try to use equipment you have no idea how to work? Well, here’s an alternative.

Simply taking a daily walk has many benefits without the risk of embarrassment.

Benefits of Walking Daily

• Decreases risk of heart disease or stroke.
• Lowers LDL cholesterol
• Increases HDL cholesterol
• Reduces blood pressure
• Increases daily calories burned (weight management)
• Decreases risk of colon cancer and diabetes (may protect against breast cancer)
• Decreases joint swelling and pain from arthritis
• Improves mood
• Improves stress management
• More energy
• Improves self-esteem
• Improves sleep quality

How Long of a Walk

Continue reading ‘Walking for Heart Health Benefits’ »

If you have high blood pressure you need to exercise wisely.

Weight Training & High Blood Pressure

You want to use caution when lifting weights. There is potential for weight lifting to cause a drastic rise in blood pressure. However, there are many benefits linked to strength training, including a lower blood pressure.

I’ll refer you to this article to learn more:

How does strength training affect blood pressure?

Stay Safe

Continue reading ‘Exercise Safety with High Blood Pressure’ »

Maintaining a physically active lifestyle that includes regular exercise is one step towards preventing heart disease and promoting low blood pressure.

Benefits of Exercise

Here are a few health benefits linked to exercise:

• Stronger heart and cardiovascular system.
• Improved circulation.
• Reduce symptoms of heart failure.
• Boost energy levels.
• Increase endurance.
• Increase strength & muscle tone.
• Better balance and flexibility.
• Stronger bones.
• Decreased stress, anxiety, & depression.
• Decreased body fat.
• Better sleep.

How Much Exercise

Continue reading ‘How much exercise to lower blood pressure?’ »

When you exercise regularly your heart becomes stronger and more efficiently circulate blood. This means the heart doesn’t have to work so hard and it takes less force against your artery walls to circulate oxygenated blood through the body.

Being regularly active can reduce your systolic (top number) blood pressure by 5 to 10 mm Hg. However, don’t expect overnight results. It can take up to 3 months for regular exercise to impact blood pressure levels.

Continue reading ‘How does exercise lowers blood pressure?’ »

A study published March 2011 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found exercise to halt AND even reverse the signs of aging in mice. . .in virtually every tissue and organ.

According to Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, the study goal was to evaluate the systemic effects of exercise and to find a therapy (i.e. activity) that most people could do if they wanted to. The study focused on cell mitochondria. Mitochondria are found in every cell where food and oxygen are converted into energy. Evidence is showing that as we age our mitochondria break down causing cells to break down. This contributes tissue and organ breakdown leading to signs of aging, such as mental declines, wrinkles, and hair loss.

Continue reading ‘Exercise – Promotes Heart Health AND Stops Aging’ »

Let’s review a simple step by step approach to adding activity in your lifestyle with the goal of being active long term.

1. Explore your emotional and cognitive values with respect to the problem.

Are you sedentary because you are afraid you will look foolish walking around your neighborhood or you believe the gym is a meat market and you do not want to be on display? Are you sedentary because when you tried to participate in sports as a child, you were always chosen last, so activity must not be your thing, right?

2. Turn to your support system.

Which family members or friends can you turn towards? Tell them about your goals and the steps you will take to achieve them. Identify exactly how your family/friends can assist you. Trust them to help you through difficult periods and provide the support you need to stick with your goals.

Continue reading ‘5 Steps to Achieve an Active Lifestyle’ »

Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is beneficial for your cardiovascular system.

Here are 5 reasons to add physical activity to your everyday routine:

1. Decrease risk for breast and colon cancer

A study has found a 35% reduced risk of getting breast cancer in women who are regularly active. Physical activity also increases survival rate in women diagnosed with breast cancer. The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study shows walking three to five hours each week to decrease risk of death 50 percent. Physical activity has also been linked to reduced risk for colon and rectal cancers.

2. Increase your life span

Continue reading ‘5 Reasons to Exercise’ »