Articles
Strategies to prevent heart disease
2. Exercise for about 30 minutes on most days of the week
5. Get enough quality sleep
Content
1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
2. Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
4. Maintain a healthy weight
5. Get good quality sleep
6. Manage stress
7. Get regular health screenings
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
A healthy diet can help protect your heart, improve your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. A heart-healthy eating plan includes:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Beans or other legumes
- Lean meats and fish
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy foods
- Whole grains
- Healthy fats, such as olive oil
Two examples of heart-healthy food plans include the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and the Mediterranean diet.
Limit intake of the following:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Processed carbohydrates
- Alcohol
- Saturated fat (found in red meat and full-fat dairy products) and trans fat (found in fried fast food, chips, baked goods)
