Around one in four deaths in the United States can be attributed to cardiovascular disease (otherwise known as heart disease). Even though your chance of getting heart disease goes up as you get older, don’t just assume it will happen – it doesn’t have to. No matter how old you are, there are many things you can do to keep your heart healthy. With that in mind, here are some tips for keeping your heart in good shape as you age to lower your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. 

Get Active 

You’ve probably heard this a million times, but there’s a good reason for it; working out regularly is still highly recommended for anyone looking to keep or enhance their heart health. Of course, it’s always recommended that you see your doctor before beginning any new routine to make sure it will be beneficial and safe for you. If it is, you can get started and become healthier in a fun way. 

To get in shape and take care of your heart, you don’t have to sign up for a marathon or even jog around the block – you can be a lot more gentle and perhaps join a specialist exercise class for your age group. Exercising in your 60s, 70s, and 80s can be highly beneficial, and the most efficient workouts include combining physical movement with stretching.

Quit Bad Habits 

Over a lifetime, we pick up a lot of bad habits. Some are fairly harmless, but others can be doing a lot of damage to our health, and specifically our heart. The worst offenders include smoking, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, and being too stressed. 

It can be hard work to quit these habits, but if you want your heart to be healthy as you age, you’ll need to – you’re risking a lot if you ignore the problem. For some of these habits, it’s a question of willpower and perhaps finding a friend to be accountable to. For others, it can require more expert help in the form of therapy, just like you’ll find at Restorations Health Care. Assess what you need and be honest, and if you need help, it’s important to reach out for it. 

Reach A Healthy Weight 

People may become aware of physical changes as they get older, such as lessened muscle mass and a slowed metabolism. This can mean that, even if it wasn’t an issue in the past, you can find that it becomes a lot easier to put on weight. That’s not usually a good thing, especially when it comes to the health of your heart. 

The good news is that even a small weight loss can have a significant impact on your blood pressure, blood sugar, and bone health if you are overweight. And of course, that can all help ease the pressure on your heart. 

Exercise is a good idea, as we mentioned above, but so is eating a healthy diet. Although treats are important, you should enjoy them sparingly to stay healthy and look after your all-important heart.