Overview

A heart-healthy lifestyle is a way of living that helps keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.

This lifestyle can help lower your risk of a heart attack and stroke. It can also improve the quality and length of your life.

To be heart-healthy:

Don't smoke, and try to avoid second-hand smoke.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to reduce your risk of future problems. When you quit, you lower your risk of a heart attack.

Be active.

Being active can help your heart get stronger and work better. Talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program. Your doctor can help you know what amount and level of activity is safe for you. Try to be active on most, and preferably all, days of the week.

Eat a heart-healthy diet.

Healthy foods can help you stay at a healthy weight and manage other health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These foods include vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, lean meat, fish, and whole grains. Limit things that are not so good for your heart, like sodium, alcohol, and sugar.

Stay at a healthy weight.

Lose weight if you need to. A healthy weight can help keep your heart and body as healthy as possible.

Manage other health problems.

These problems include diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor.

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