Last updated: April 29, 2025

Heart disease is a common ailment that many people face around the world. According to the American Heart Association, it’s the leading cause of death worldwide.¹ There are many preventative measures that can help to prevent heart disease and improve your cardiovascular health. While they are not easy fixes, they can be accomplished with planning, research, and motivation. A great way to keep on track is to include your spouse, another family member, or a friend.

In the article below, discover some of the best ways to improve your heart health.

Stay active

Exercises that get your heart pumping are incredibly important for your health. Aerobics, also known as cardio, is a type of exercise that uses a constant supply of oxygen. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderately intense aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. It gets your heart rate up for longer periods of time and helps to lower risk of heart disease and stroke, manage weight, improve sleep, and more.² Examples include walking, jogging, dancing, and swimming. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to start running 5 miles a day. Start out slow with a walk every day or yoga and slowly build up over time as your endurance gets stronger. Remember to always consult your doctor before attempting any new fitness regimen.

Eat healthy

We all love eating fries, pizza and dessert, and you don’t have to deprive yourself of these things. Although, it is important to eat them in moderation. Maintaining a good diet does take planning and research. Making a grocery list and pre-planning for meals can help you stay on track. Getting vegetables ready ahead of time is also extremely helpful. Remember to make a colorful plate. Some heart-healthy foods to include are fish, nuts, seeds, berries, fruits, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and even dark chocolate in moderation.³

Manage stress

Keeping stress at bay can be easier said than done. When you get stressed, there is a rise in blood pressure and your heart beats faster. While we can’t eliminate stress altogether, you can create tactics to help manage it and lower the risk for heart disease. Meditation is a great way to manage stress. There are a lot of free meditation podcasts that you can use to talk you through a meditation. Clearing your mind and practicing slow breathing can bring your heart rate down and help you think more clearly. Listening to music, taking a bath, and lighting a candle can all help with stress management as well.

Quit smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, death, and disability in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking increases heart rate, tightens arteries, and can cause an irregular heartbeat making your heart work harder. There is also a whole host of other health issues that smoking causes. According to research, even secondhand smoking can cause coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.⁴

Get screened

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider each year to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Keeping up with your appointments is crucial in catching signs of heart disease as early as possible. Heart disease may not be completely curable, but it can often be prevented with the right lifestyle choices.

HomeWell can help

While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is so beneficial to living an enjoyable and energetic life, it does require a plan to change your current habits and to sustain the new lifestyle. Our caregivers are trained to help in non-medical care whether it’s to help with grocery shopping, making healthy meals, prepping vegetables, or going for daily walks. HomeWell Care Managers can put together a customized plan that works for you or your loved one. Give us a call today to learn more.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Sources

1. American Heart Association. (2025, January 27). “Heart disease remains leading cause of death as key health risk factors continue to rise.” https://newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-disease-remains-leading-cause-of-death-as-key-health-risk-factors-continue-to-rise
2. American Heart Association. (2024, January 19). “American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids.” https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
3. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 26). “Heart-Healthy Foods to Add to Your Grocery List.” https://health.clevelandclinic.org/heart-healthy-foods
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 17). “Cigarette Smoking.” https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html