Heart Disease IS Preventable!

No one ever wants to hear that they have heart disease – or worse, that a loved one has suffered a heart attack. But in today’s society, heart disease is the number one killer! The positive side of this terrible news? It is absolutely preventable! I’m Wendy Corr, and in today’s wellness tip, I’ll give you some ways in which you can start protecting your heart.

One of the worst days of my life was when I found out my father had had a massive heart attack. Because of my background as a nutritionist, of course I focused on how I can help my dad by teaching him about how food can be the best medicine.

The American Heart Association recommends that everyone eat a diet rich in veggies and fruits, choose high fiber foods, limit high cholesterol foods, and choose and prepare foods with little or no sodium.

Easy ways to add veggies to your meals include adding spinach to smoothies or sandwiches; tossing chopped vegetables into casseroles, omelettes, pasta sauces and crock pot meals; and munching on pea pods or baby carrots with hummus or guacamole for a healthy snack. And don’t be afraid to reach for that dark chocolate – it’s been shown to reduce hypertension, which can preserve your heart health!

For breakfast, choose a bowl of steel cut oats, full of fiber to help cut bad cholesterol. Top it with some berries, which can reduce inflammation, and with raw, unsalted nuts like almonds or walnuts that are full of healthy fats.

But it’s not just about the food – there are lifestyle changes that have to be made if you’re going to take care of your heart.

First, if you smoke, quit – that’s a no-brainer, because smoking is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.

Work to reduce your stress. How you cope with stress can impact risk factors such as high cholesterol, overeating, inactivity and blood pressure. Meditation, prayer, and other mindfulness activities can help mitigate your stress levels, which can impact your heart health.

And get moving! Studies have shown that at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week slows the building of plaque within arteries, lowers blood pressure, and helps with weight management.

Thanks for tuning in to Wellness with Wendy! I’m a certified holistic nutritionist, a mom, an entertainer and a radio personality – so finding balance is the key to my life. I love sharing tips and tricks to help you live your best life – so for more health and wellness news and advice, follow my blog on mybighornbasin.com. See you again next time for Wellness with Wendy!