A few weeks ago a dear friend of ours ended up in the hospital fighting for his life. Just 59 years old, he needed a heart valve transplant and got it within a week or so of diagnosis.
This week he is back in the hospital with sepsis and then had a massive stroke. He will need to have another surgery to replace the heart value and even more work on his heart. Is it soooo scary and I have been praying for him so much!
My dad’s side of the family has heart problems and my mother died from a massive stroke.
Does this sound familiar?
We all know we need think about our health and the preventative measures that we need to take in order to live a healthy life. Two of the most common health problems are heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease is fatal for over 600,000 people per year in the United States, and almost 800,000 will suffer a stroke. Therefore, it’s important to consider the changes that you and I can and need to make in order to reduce the chance of heart disease and strokes.
Top Ways to Reduce Heart Disease and Stroke
1. Eat a healthy balanced diet
People have different ideas about what healthy means. Some people reduce calories so much they are starving themselves in order to eat in a manner they believe is ‘healthy’.
Rather than focusing on eating less, focus on eating the right foods. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts are all great foods to add into your diet.
2. Cut down on red meat
If your diet consists of a large amount of meat or you eat meat at least once a day, reduce your intake. It is recommended that you eat meat 3-4 times per week, but if you are more at risk of heart disease, it’s a good idea to cut down significantly on red meat, or cut it out of your diet completely. Replace with oily fish or lean meats, more legumes and complex carbs instead of meat.
I have been eating no meat mainly for the past few months and eat meat only a few times a month and I have felt amazing. I do not even miss it with all of the additional fiber and whole grains.
3. Exercise regularly
Moving your body regularly will help to combat a wide range of health problems, including heart disease and strokes. You don’t need to exercise rigorously every day in order for it to have a benefit.
Start your day by doing some gentle stretches or yoga, or before dinner in the evening, take a stroll around your neighborhood.
If you have a weak heart or suffer from other health issues already, be careful when exercising and speak to your doctor beforehand. Chair stretches can really help too!
4. Watch what you drink
While many people concentrate on eating the right foods and cutting out the bad ones, it’s easy to underestimate the power of the beverages we select. Sugary drinks contain just as much, if not more, sugar and unhealthy ingredients that can poison your body over time and go against all the other preventative measures you are taking for your health.
Cut out sugary drinks, including fruit juices with added sugars and sweeteners, and limit how much caffeine you drink in the form of coffee and other common beverages.
Some say red wine is a great addition for those with heart problems and many doctors do recommend a glass a few times a week.
5. Reduce the amount of oil in your diet
I just read a study from UC Davis that spoke about the dangers of oil in our bodies. So many people say that olive oil is fine, but this study say No to all oil. They are all refined in one way or another.
The researcher found that oil actually builds up in the arteries and veins creating the sluggish blood flow and the yucky feeling we get when we eat greasy foods. She says it is fine for the skin, but not in the body.
For me, it might be worth a try since I have so many health issues against me!!
Which one of these ways can you start with to reduce your chances and improve your overall health to reduce heart disease and stroke?
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.