Tips for healthy heart

NEWSLETTER

28 Healthy Heart Tips
Medically reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, College of Medicine on September 22, 2016 — Written by the Healthline Editorial Team
Slim down
Have sex
Engage in hobbies
Eat fiber
Listen to music
Eat fish
Laugh
Stretch
Drink alcohol in moderation
Avoid salt
Move
Know your numbers
Eat chocolate
Do housework
Eat nuts
Have fun
Own a pet
Interval train
Avoid fat
Enjoy your ride
Have breakfast
Take the stairs
Drink tea
Brush your teeth
Walk
Lift weights
Find your happy place
Stop smoking—no ifs, ands, or butts

There are many steps you can take to help protect your health and blood vessels. Avoiding tobacco is one of the best.

In fact, smoking is one of the top controllable risk factors for heart disease. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, the American Heart Association (AHA), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all encourage you to quit. It can make a huge difference to not just your heart, but your overall health, too.

Focus on the middle

That is, focus on your middle. Research in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has linked excess belly fat to higher blood pressure and unhealthy blood lipid levels. If you’re carrying extra fat around your middle, it’s time to slim down. Eating fewer calories and exercising more can make a big difference.

Play between the sheets

Or you can play on top of the sheets! That’s right, having sex can be good for your heart. Sexual activity may add more than just pleasure to your life. It may also help lower your blood pressure and risk of heart disease. Research published in the American Journal of Cardiology shows that a lower frequency of sexual activity is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease.

Knit a scarf

Put your hands to work to help your mind unwind. Engaging in activities such as knitting, sewing, and crocheting can help relieve stress and do your ticker some good. Other relaxing hobbies, such as woodworking, cooking, or completing jigsaw puzzles, may also help take the edge off stressful days.

Power up your salsa with beans

When paired with low-fat chips or fresh veggies, salsa offers a delicious and antioxidant-rich snack. Consider mixing in a can of black beans for an added boost of heart-healthy fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet rich in soluble fiber can help lower your level of low-density lipoprotein, or “bad cholesterol.” Other rich sources of soluble fiber include oats, barley, apples, pears, and avocados.