Taking Action for a Healthier Heart | AFC Urgent Care Memphis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 610,000 Americans pass away from heart disease each year. It’s a disease that impacts both men and women, which is why our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis wants to share some ways you can get your heart in top shape.

Healthy Living Is Key

Want to live a healthier life, but just aren’t sure where to start? Read on!

First and foremost, eat a balanced, healthy diet. Fill your plate with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (like turkey or fish), and moderate amounts of healthy fats. Limit your consumption of sodium, sugar and saturated fats. You can also incorporate foods known to be heart-healthy for an extra measure of good health!

Second, reduce your stress level as much as possible. Stress itself is a risk factor for both heart disease and stroke, which is why taking steps to limit your stress is important. In addition, being overly stressed can lead to inactivity and overeating, which can also put a person at an increased risk of heart disease.

Therefore, it’s important to learn ways to handle your stress before it becomes an issue for your heart. Exercise is one key way to help relieve stress, and the health benefits of being physically active extend past stress relief. Regular physical activity also helps lower your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which helps limit your risk of heart disease.

Finally, if you smoke, quit. Not only does smoking put you at an increased risk of lung cancer, but the smoke from your cigarette also causes damage to your arteries, decreasing blood flow and increasing your chances of suffering from a heart attack. Fortunately, the quicker you stop, the greater your chance of being able to reverse the negative effects smoking plays on your health.

When’s the last time you had a physical exam? One of the best ways to stay on top of your health is to make sure your health numbers are where they need to be. Visit AFC Urgent Care Memphis today for a wellness check!