February is National Heart Health Month, and our Tucker Chiropractors are striving to raise awareness around the effects and reach of heart disease.
Did you know that over 610,000 people die each and every year due to some form of the cardiovascular disease?
Even more so, over 750,000 people are projected to experience a heart attack this year.
Preventing Heart Disease
Although age and family history both play a significant role in determining whether or not you should be concerned about developing some form of heart disease, there are a variety of steps that you can take to mitigate risk.
Our team of experienced Chiropractors treats hundreds of patients throughout the Tucker and greater Atlanta regions which suffer from heart disease.
This type of experience allows us to offer the following recommendations that have been proven to help prevent and treat heart disease.
Monitor and Control Your Weight
Staying in shape and controlling your weight is critical for preventing the onset of heart disease, especially if you have diabetes.
You can speak with one of our Chiropractors about various diet plans that allow you to eat delicious meals, but substitute empty carbohydrates and saturated fats with fibers and grains.
Get Plenty of Exercise
Thousands of studies prove a direct correlation between those who remain physically active and their ability to prevent heart disease from developing.
Our doctors recommend starting off slowly if you haven’t exercised in some time. You can begin by taking 10 to 15 minute walks around your neighborhood after work and gradually move up to 20 to 30-minute jogs.
If your knees are sensitive from age and a previous injury, swimming and cycling are both excellent ways to support your cardiovascular system.
We recommend exercising for at least 30 minutes, three times each week to maintain ideal health.
You Must Quit Smoking Cigarettes Immediately
If you are an active cigarette smoker, you probably already know about the enormous negative effects it has on your heart and lungs.
Nicotine restricts and narrows your blood vessels, forcing your heart to work twice as hard to carry blood and oxygen throughout your body.
This type of stress eventually leads to high blood pressure and increases your chances of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
Our doctors can offer you alternative solutions to smoking that allow you to go about your routine without having to deal with nicotine cravings.
Monitor and Control Your Glucose
Keeping a close eye on your glucose levels if key for understanding how your internal systems are performing.
Make sure that you can maintain an A1C reading of less than 7% at all times.
Keep Your LDL Cholesterol Levels Down
The American Diabetes Association and The American Heart Association both recommend maintaining an LDL cholesterol level of less than 100 mg/dl.
Our doctors recommend consuming plenty of fiber-rich foods like whole grains and vegetables, which all help regulate cholesterol and blood pressure.
Foods that are rich in omega-3 oils like Salmon and other types of fish are also recommended.