If heart health hasn’t been a priority, don’t worry. Healthy choices
you make now can strengthen your heart for the long haul. Understand why
you need to make a lifestyle change and have the confidence to make it.
Then, tackle them one at a time. “Each success makes you more confident
to take on the next one,” said Stein, an American Heart Association
volunteer.
- Watch your weight. You may notice your metabolism slowing down
in your 40s. But you can avoid weight gain by following a heart-healthy
diet and getting plenty of exercise. The trick is to find a workout
routine you enjoy.
If you need motivation to get moving, find a workout buddy.
- Have your blood sugar level checked. In addition to blood pressure checks and other heart-health screenings, you should have a fasting blood glucose test by the time you’re 45.
This first test serves as a baseline for future tests, which you should have every three years. Testing may be done earlier or more often if you are overweight, diabetic or at risk for becoming diabetic.
- Don’t brush off snoring. Listen to your sleeping partner’s complaints about your snoring.
One in five adults has at least mild sleep apnea, a condition that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. If not properly treated, sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
