Be Proactive Against Heart Disease

Protect yourself from heart disease and lead a full, healthy life. 

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in both men and women in the US, according to the CDC, it’s important that you are doing what you can to protect yourself against it. Don’t wait until problems arise. Our medical team provides comprehensive checkups and preventive care to adults in and around Maricopa, AZ, helping assess and reduce their risk for heart disease.

Quit Smoking 

Smoking can damage the heart and lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can increase your risk for a heart attack or heart failure. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, according to the CDC. When smoking is combined with other risk factors such as a family history or being overweight, it compounds your risk for heart disease. Fortunately, quitting smoking can help to reduce this risk.

Get Regular Exercise 

Hearing that you need to exercise might give you flashbacks to a bad gym experience but you don’t need to head to the gym to get the proper amount of exercise you need for a healthy heart. Just 30-60 minutes a day of moderately intense activity such as a brisk walk is all that’s needed. Want to start a new workout routine? Talk with your doctor to make sure the activity or sport is safe for your current health status.

Eat a Healthy Diet 

Eating a healthy diet is important not just for your heart but also for your health overall. Your diet can impact everything from cholesterol and blood pressure to your risk for type 2 diabetes. A heart-healthy diet involves limiting the consumption of:

• Salt
• Sugar
• Processed carbs (e.g. white bread and pasta)
• Alcohol
• Saturated and trans fat (found in fried foods and baked goods)

A heart-healthy diet will contain a variety of fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, lean protein (e.g. fish), low-fat dairy, and healthy fats such as avocado and olive oil.

Keep a Healthy Weight 

Obesity or being overweight can both increase your risk for a variety of health issues including diabetes and high cholesterol. It can also take a toll on your heart health because the heart has to work harder. If you’ve been told that you are overweight or obese, our Maricopa, AZ, medical team provides comprehensive medical care to help adults lose weight safely and effectively through simple dietary and lifestyle changes.

Southwestern Pediatrics and Family Care is the premiere medical team in Maricopa, AZ. If you want to discuss your risk factors for heart disease and what you can do to protect yourself, call our practice at (520) 568-9500 to schedule a checkup.