Hidden ways to help your Heart

The good news about heart disease-North America’s No 1 killer- is that a healthy heart is within everybody’s reach. We already know some of the rules: Eat less fat; eat more fruits and vegetables; and keep blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels in check. But there are more ways to boost heart health.

DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST.
Most heart attacks occurs between 7 am and noon -possibly because the cells that help blood to clot called platelets, are stickiest then. Eating breakfast appears to make the platelets less sticky… and less likely to clump together.

LIGHTEN UP.
People who over react to stressful situations are more likely to have heart trouble. In one study, people whose blood pressure and heart rates jumped the most during frustrating tests were also the ones most likely to have reduced blood flow to the heart.

MEET THE “A’S”.
You may have heard about the antioxidant Vitamins A, C, E and Beta-carotene – that appears to slow plaque formation in the Arteries.

KICK TOBACCO IF YOU ARE USING IT.
Smoking affects more that your lungs. Fact is, within a few years of quitting, you will cut your risk of a heart attack by at least half, similar to those who have never smoked.

GET OFF THE COUCH.
Sedentary living ” not high cholesterol ” is one of the greatest risk factors in heart attacks. Tip: just a half an hour of moderate physical activity most days of the week can deliver fitness benefits similar to traditional exercise routines. So walk briskly. Take the stairs. Play actively with kids. Live longer