DIET

A good diet is always important for your health. It does not have to be extreme. What is important is that it is something you can stick with.  Many find that a Mediterranean-type program works well for them.  Make sure you get at least 6-8 servings of pigmented fruit and vegetables daily. Consuming good fats from olive oil, tree nuts and avocados is a good basis for heart health.

New research reveals the exciting fact that blueberries, for example, provide an effective way to lower cholesterol without the dangers of statin drugs. In fact, the research shows that a compound in blueberries acts just as effectively as statin drugs to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol in mice, but without the negative side effects of statin drugs (such as having your muscles waste away).

EXERCISE FOR HEART HEALTH

If you have no intentions of running a marathon or climbing a “14-er” in record time, and all you really want to do is to exercise enough to maintain heart health, we have good news for you.  Clinical studies have shown that just “purposeful” walking for 40 minutes 3 times a week is very beneficial for heart health.