It’s no secret that eating well and staying active are two of the best ways to avoid heart disease.
In fact, studies have consistently shown that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks.
But what happens if you’ve already experienced a heart attack?
What steps should you take to ensure your continued health?
It wasn’t long ago that bed rest was the standard recommendation after a surgery or major illness.
Doctors believed that the body needed rest to heal after experiencing trauma.
However, modern medicine has proven that this approach is outdated.
In fact, today, doctors encourage patients to get moving as soon as possible after surgery or illness.
So, what about after a heart attack?
Shouldn’t you take it easy and rest?
As it turns out, the answer is no.
A recent study published in the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that staying active after a heart attack can help you live longer.
In this study, 1,651 men who had experienced a heart attack were followed for 14 years.
The researchers categorized these men based on their levels of physical activity.
The results were surprising: those who maintained high levels of physical activity had a 39 percent lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who remained inactive.
And the best part? A “high level of activity” simply means 2.5 hours of vigorous activity per week.
This could be as easy as walking briskly for 30 minutes, five days a week.
This type of regular movement has been shown to improve heart health, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, help with weight control, and enhance insulin sensitivity.
Although this particular study was conducted with men, other studies have shown similar benefits for women.
So, whether you’ve had a heart attack or not, staying active is key to maintaining your health.
Now, let’s look at some other steps you can take to keep your heart in top shape.
Dr. Scott’s Heart Disease Program includes some simple but effective strategies.
Eating colorful foods—especially vegetables—is essential for heart health.
If you’re not a fan of vegetables, you can always “cheat” by using a powdered superfood supplement.
I personally mix mine into yogurt and berries for an easy, healthy snack.
Another important tip is to avoid vegetable oils, particularly trans fats.
These oils can cause inflammation in your bloodstream, which is harmful to your heart.
Fish oil is another powerful anti-inflammatory that can work wonders for your body.
It helps lower inflammatory proteins, making it a great addition to any heart health regimen.
Lastly, consider adding curcumin to your diet.
This extract from turmeric is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Unless you’re already consuming a significant amount of turmeric, it’s worth considering a curcumin supplement.
To learn more about how exercise and diet contribute to heart health, check out these links from Harvard Health and WebMD.