3 Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Heart | AFC Urgent Care Memphis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 610,000 Americans die of heart disease each year.

While there are some risk factors of heart disease that cannot be changed, our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis wants you to be aware of the changes you can make to decrease your risk of heart disease in the future.

Let’s take a look at some ways you can start live a heart-healthy life, including:

Follow the DASH Diet

And, no, we are not talking about the Kardashians. This DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, focuses on lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which both play a factor in your heart health.

When following the DASH diet, you will include foods like:

  • Fish
  • Fruits
  • Low-fat dairy
  • Poultry
  • Vegetables
  • Whole grains

The diet also calls for eating less total fat, saturated fat and trans fat foods, as well as limiting your consumption of red meat, sweets and sweetened beverages.

Get Active

Of course, eating a healthy diet isn’t the only way to improve your heart health. Remember, your heart is a muscle. Therefore, you want to make sure you are training your muscle properly by exercising regularly.

Cardio exercise like running, walking and even dancing can get your heart pumping and help you maintain a healthy weight, both positive steps toward better heart health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.

Stop Smoking

Not only does smoking increase your risk of lung cancer, it also increases your chances of suffering from heart disease. Plus, smoking can also lead to an aortic aneurysm or peripheral artery disease.

While some people are able to quit cold turkey, other smokers might need the assistance of nicotine patches or classes in order to fully quit smoking. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are one who needs assistance with smoking cessation.

Your first step toward improving your heart health is to know where your health currently stands. Visit AFC Urgent Care Memphis today for a wellness check!