As most of you probably already know, February is "Heart Health Awareness Month." With that being said, I thought I would list a few things that I have found out that can keep your heart pumping like it should. Some of these I have learned from my schooling, some are common sense, some I have learned from being a dental assistant, and the others I came across in an article I read on Yahoo Health. Granted, we cannot prevent hereditary traits from taking over sometimes, we can do our best to keep it at bay for as long as possible.
Since working as a dental assistant for three and half years, I have heard over and over during the time to "floss your teeth to keep your heart healthy as well as your mouth." Periodontal disease is linked to heart disease due to all the bacteria harbored below the gum line can be harbored in the bloodstream and cause heart blockages. So, with that being said, take a minute out of your day to floss and brush your teeth. Also, be sure to take a few hours out of each year to have semi-annual cleanings and checkups done. Your heart deserves it from you.
We all know that stress is bad on the heart, but lack of sleep can cause unwanted stress on us, and we may not always realize it. Stop during the day, and take a quick nap. Researchers found that men who stopped during the middle of the day for a 30 minute nap were less likely to have cardiovascular issues than those who did not nap. http://health.yahoo.net/experts/drmao/6-surprising-ways-heart-longevity
Own a pet. Another way that I think a person can prevent heart disease, is by being a pet owner. When you have a pet, it keeps you much more active than you may realize. Pets can be alot of work as well as fun. They will keep you moving, smiling, laughing, or cleaning up after them. Any time spent moving around has got to be better than sitting in front of the television munching. Also, according to this article http://health.yahoo.net/experts/drmao/6-surprising-ways-heart-longevity, studies have shown that owning a pet can keep the blood pressure lower as well as lower the bad cholesterol.
So, as this month comes to a close, keep in mind throughout the year that these simple things can possibly lengthen your life, or at have the possibility of having a life with one less medical issue.
That's pretty intersting that heart health is related to your teeth. I agree that owning a pet helps you stay active, especially if you get a new puppy then you're always running around. Not enough people realize all the things that affect your heart though, this month does help.
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