5 Ways to Improve Heart Health
February is American Heart Month, and at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we want to help all our Nature Coast patients improve the health of their hearts to give them a long and active life. The response to the COVID pandemic has not been good for heart health. According to the American Heart Association, studies now show that heart attack and stroke rates have increased significantly since the start of the pandemic. Here are 5 ways to start the numbers heading back down in the right direction.
Don’t skip doctor’s appointments—many people put off regularly scheduled checkups due to fears of getting the coronavirus. Now more than ever, it’s important to get back on track with preventive care. For example, high blood pressure, the leading cause of heart disease, affects nearly half of all adults in America, but is undetected or uncontrolled in about 75% of the cases. Annual screenings can detect high blood pressure. If you had COVID, it could also have long-term effects on your heart—stay current with all your doctors’ appointments.
Reconnect your social life—another predictor of heart disease is stress. Social connections, spending time with friends, and doing volunteer activities help relieve stress and create a greater sense of well-being. If you’re still nervous about close contact with others, plan outdoor get-togethers or small group gatherings.
Recommit to eating healthy—binge-watching television series with a bag of chips or sleeve of cookies or ordering takeout delivery because you didn’t want to go out and shop have left many people with unwanted pounds and less healthy bodies. Focus on adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet and wean off sugary drinks and sweets. Record what you’re eating to help you be more accountable.
Get moving—remember that binge-watching? Being stuck indoors led to a lot more sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, the old “use it or lose it” truism has left many people finding it more challenging to be as active as pre-pandemic. Start gradually and work to build up your exercise duration and intensity weekly. Get a step counter and increase your goal over time. If you find this causes foot or ankle pain, contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 for an appointment to get your feet examined by our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales.
Kick bad habits to the curb—smoking and drinking are two habits that harm the health of your heart. If you found yourself turning to these more during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking and reduce the number of drinks you have each week.
Small steps will lead to a big improvement in your heart health.