Heart health is essential, and it’s just as important to keep your brain healthy. Studies have shown that things we can do to protect our cardiac health also help our cognitive health, as well. One study, for example, found that good heart health is connected to a reduced risk for dementia.
Lifestyle changes that affect the daily decisions we make add up over time and are key to maintaining a healthy heart and brain. Here are five things just about anyone can do to keep their heart pumping strong and keep their brain in shape, too:
Five Lifestyle Tips for Heart Health and Brain Health
By working these tips into your daily routine, you can enjoy overall wellness and protect that essential heart-and-brain connection:
Get moving.
Exercise is one of the most important ways to protect your brain and heart. You don’t have to become a gym rat to keep your heart healthy. There are many studies citing the benefits of taking regular walks, including one that found walking can lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure by as much as 31%. This exercise can also help you drop excess weight, which also helps to lower blood pressure.
Brush and floss your teeth.
Brush and floss to stay on top of your dental hygiene. Current research indicates that there’s a connection between gum disease and an increased risk of developing heart disease. Poor dental health can increase the risk of a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which can then impact the heart valves.
Stay away from smoke.
For good reason, there are warning labels on cigarettes about the harmful effects of smoking, but just being around secondhand smoke can hurt your brain and heart health.
Adults who don’t smoke but are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke can develop coronary heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke. Avoiding secondhand smoke is a simple way to reduce these risks.
Stand up!
“Sitting is the new smoking” has been said a lot in recent years. Research has found a higher chance of cardiovascular disease from sitting too much—even if you exercise, too. See if you can get a standing desk at work, get up and move around often throughout the day, and make a concerted effort to sit less in general.
Get plenty of sleep.
Sleeping less than six hours a night can increase your risk of stroke or heart attack. There are many benefits to sleep, so don’t skimp on it. According to a 2018 study, people who slept less than six hours had a 20% higher risk of having a heart attack.
Need Help Improving Healthy Habits? We Can Help!
As with any lifestyle change, it’s important to consult with your doctor before you start. When it comes to implementing any of these lifestyle changes, start by setting achievable goals and check in with yourself regularly to see if anything has changed. Bring others on board to make it even more fun and hold each other accountable.
You can also get support from a caregiver who can provide companionship, transportation help, and meal prep to help you stay healthy. Contact your local Homewatch CareGivers online or call us at 888-404-5191 to learn about our companion care services and other in-home care options.
