The Best Ways to Strengthen Your Heart

Your daily choices directly impact how your body functions. That’s particularly true of your heart. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way toward bolstering this essential muscular organ. The reverse is also true. Lifestyle choices can take their toll. 

You want to do what you can to strengthen your heart, and we can help. 

As a heart attack prevention specialist, David Bolon, MD, has extensive experience helping people create plans to strengthen their hearts. If you visit us at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular in Midtown East Manhattan, New York City, he and our team can tailor a plan to you, your health history, your family’s past with heart issues, and more. 

Meanwhile, here are a few best practices that can help everyone get a healthier heart. If you want to strengthen this critical organ, start using these tips immediately. 

#1: Get moving

Your heart is a muscular organ; you can make it stronger by working it out like any other muscle. Different types of exercise work your heart in different ways. 

Aerobic exercise like walking, hiking, and cycling helps your heart pump blood better, improving your circulation. At the same time, it lowers your risk of heart-harming conditions like high blood pressure. 

Strength training also helps you bolster your heart health. Whether you do bodyweight exercises at home or hit the gym and use their machines, building muscle mass helps fight bad cholesterol and bust fat, contributing to a healthier heart. 

#2: Eat a heart-healthy diet

What you eat makes a huge difference for your heart. Steer clear of saturated and trans fats and excess salt, instead opting for whole, minimally processed foods. Fill your plate with produce (fresh is great, but frozen is often equally nutritious), whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein sources. 

To help you make heart-healthy food choices, use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommended shopping list. 

#3: Moderate vices

Tobacco use is one of the worst things you can do for your heart. Conversely, quitting smoking is one of the quickest ways to improve heart health. 

Alcohol is similarly risky for your heart. Limit your drinking to keep your heart as strong as possible. 

If overeating is your vice of choice, knowing how it impacts your heart might make it easier to say no to your cravings. Being overweight can significantly increase your risk of heart problems. 

#4: Manage stress

Chronic stress takes a toll on your heart. Fortunately, some other tips on this list — like regular exercise and a healthy diet — can help with stress management. 

Spending time with people you care about, getting sufficient sleep, and finding a hobby you enjoy can all make a difference here, too. 

#5: Use cardiac screening to get personalized recommendation

These are all general recommendations. For a personalized heart-strengthening plan, schedule a cardiac screening. 

Your results allow Dr. Bolon to check for specific risk factors that could spell heart trouble. Then, he can make recommendations to help your particular heart function at its best. 

If you want customized support for your heart health, call our team at (716) 303-4738 or book your appointment online today.