How Old is Your Heart?

You might be shocked to learn your heart is older or younger than you are. That’s because it all comes down to the stress and strain it takes throughout your lifetime. See what factors go into your heart’s age, and what you can do to stay young at heart!

When You Were a Kid

We don’t think of children as having heart issues, but your lifestyle as a youth can have an impact on your older self. From a young age, people can build up plaque (fatty deposits) in their arteries through poor diets and lack of regular exercise. It is important (and never too late) to build a healthy lifestyle -- even if you didn’t do this in your early years. Healthy foods that are high in fiber and low in fat are ideal for your heart health. This includes foods like fruits and vegetables. Eating moderate portions at regular mealtimes is also advised, as is avoiding in between meal snacks. In today’s busy world, focusing on our heart health is not always easy. However, building good eating habits, along with getting at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous movement a day will help your heart health. It’s never too late to recapture the kid in you.

Know Your Numbers

Remember the saying, “A pound of prevention is worth an ounce of cure?”  This means that it is better to proactively work toward your best health, versus having to be treated for an ailment that you might have been able to prevent. Regular check-ups and screenings are the first step in prevention. Adena Heart and Vascular offers this handy guide to help patients know at what age they should get important screenings. In addition, Adena Heart and Vascular is providing a guide to knowing signs of a heart attack or stroke. These guides may help you test for and recognize heart-related symptoms that could save your life.

At the Heart of it All

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the #1 cause of death in the United States. Often, those who die from CVD, which includes heart attack and stroke, had no prior symptoms. It is important to know each of your CVD risk factors; and how you can reduce those risk factors in your life. Risk factors include age, gender, related health issues, family history, smoking, diet, weight, exercise, cholesterol and stress. 

Call Adena Heart and Vascular at 740-779-4570, so we can help you achieve your best heart health.