| Heart disease is the number one killer in the United | | | | potassium are good for your heart. You should also |
| States today. If you have certain risks factors, it is | | | | try to avoid foods that are high in sodium because |
| critical that you take measures to improve and | | | | sodium will make you retain excess water and put a |
| maintain good cardio health. Keep reading to discover | | | | strain on your heart muscle. Studies have shown that |
| what you can do to naturally improve your heart | | | | foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids are good |
| function for a long and healthy life. | | | | for your heart. Stop eating the high calorie, high fat |
| 1. Lose weight. This should be at the top of your list | | | | junk foods and start eating a diet rich in fiber, fruit |
| to get into good physical health overall, but it is | | | | and vegetables. |
| especially important to your cardio health. Overweight | | | | 5. Lower your stress levels. This can be easier said |
| people are at a higher risk for developing diabetes, | | | | than done. We all lead busy, stressful lives. If you feel |
| high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even certain | | | | that you are under too much stress, investigate |
| types of cancer. Obesity will also cause your heart to | | | | ways to decrease these stress levels. There may be |
| pump harder which can lead to long term damage. | | | | some things you cannot change, but some things you |
| 2. Stop smoking. This killer habit can put you at a | | | | can. If you are trying to be perfect in everything you |
| much higher risk for heart attack and stroke. | | | | do, stop. Nobody is perfect and trying to achieve |
| Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of | | | | perfection will cause unneeded stress in your life. Find |
| heart disease there is. So if you smoke stop. If you | | | | something that you can do that will de-stress you. |
| don't smoke, don't start. If you live with a smoker, | | | | Some people like to exercise while others engage in |
| insist that they not smoke around you. Second hand | | | | their favorite hobby. Whatever you, do try to lower |
| smoke can do just as much, if not more, damage to | | | | your stress level to protect your heart from the |
| your lungs. | | | | damage that ongoing stress can cause. |
| 3. Exercise. Your heart is a muscle. The best way to | | | | So there you have five great tips on how to |
| develop any muscle is through exercise. This includes | | | | improve and maintain your cardio health. Use these |
| your heart muscle. Exercise gets your blood pumping | | | | tips wisely and develop a few of your own. Keep |
| and makes your heart stronger. It also reduces | | | | your cardiovascular system healthy and lower your |
| cholesterol levels and helps to reduce stress. | | | | risk for heart disease. |
| 4. Eat heart healthy foods. Foods that are rich in | | | | |