Keeping your heart healthy is a major part of keeping yourself healthy, and protecting yourself as you age. By adopting these habits, you can prevent most heart conditions.

1. If you’re smoking, stop

Smoking is probably the worst thing you could do to your heart – it’ll raise your risk for cardiovascular disease almost instantly.

2.   Eat the rainbow

Instead of filling up with processed, oily, salty or sugary foods, refuel with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, dairy, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil and fatty fish. These are what your heart loves.

3.  Limit your alcohol intake

The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of harm. Water is still your safest option, or opt for tea, coffee, or a small glass of fruit or vegetable juice.

4.   Stay away from soft drinks

Most soft drinks contain copious amounts of sugar. Not only isn’t sugar good for weight management, but you’ll be wasting calories on a substance that has no value to your health.

5.  Get your body moving

150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week is the minimum your heart needs to stay healthy. Try swim- ming, running, walking or biking (or anything else that gets your heart rate up a little).

6.  Remember your checkups

Heart disease is largely preventable if caught early, and usually treatable, too. Regular assessments by your healthcare provider are recommended every five years, but if you’re at higher risk (if you have a family history of heart disease, if you’re older or live an unhealthy lifestyle), you should go for a checkup every two years.

Bottom line

If you take good care of your heart, it should take good care of you.

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