7 Steps to a Healthier Heart

/

February is American Heart Month, and all of us at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center are focused on the changes our patients can make to keep their hearts pumping with power for many years to come.

Heart health directly affects your overall health. When your heart is unhealthy or strained, you’re at a higher risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Your feet can suffer, too. They’re far away from the heart, so if your heart isn’t pumping efficiently, it takes a long time for blood to get to your feet. That makes healing difficult or impossible and can lead to wounds that don’t heal and, tragically, limb loss.

We endorse the American Heart Association’s 7-point advice for improving heart health:

  1. Stop smoking. Countless studies have proven that smoking reduces cardiovascular function, putting you at higher risk for a heart attack.

  2. Eat well. You know the drill – limit your consumption of sugary drinks, desserts, and alcohol, while eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean protein.

  3. Be active. Get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times per week. If foot problems are preventing you from exercising, fix those first by making an appointment with Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Dan Phan, or Dr. Joseph Saka.

  4. Lose weight. Extra pounds make your heart work too hard (and put an undue burden on your feet).

  5. Manage your blood pressure. Take your blood pressure medications faithfully.

  6. Lower your cholesterol. Work with your doctor to keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range.

  7. Reduce your blood sugar. Having high blood glucose puts you on the fast track to prediabetes or diabetes.

The good news is that you don’t have to attack all of these steps at the same time. Pick one or two to start. Gradually add additional heart-healthy behaviors until all seven become a natural part of your healthy lifestyle.

For more information about the heart-foot connection or an appointment with our board-certified podiatrists, contact us online or call our Howell and Jackson podiatry offices at (732) 905-1110.