How to Improve Heart Health Without Overhauling Your Routine
Learning how to improve heart health may extend your longevity and improve your quality of life in Midland, TX. To start aging well, prioritize easy wellness habits like exercising and eating nutritious meals.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the US. About one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Every year, about 805,000 people in the US have a heart attack.
Learning how to improve heart health can help you start aging well. With senior heart health tips related to diet and exercise, you can enjoy your retirement in Midland, TX.
What easy wellness habits can you add to your routine? Read on for our daily heart care strategies today!
Can a Weak Heart Be Strengthened?
Yes, you can naturally strengthen a weak heart to enhance its functionality.Effective strategies for strengthening your heart include:
- Appropriate exercise
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
- Getting enough sleep
- Reducing your sodium and sugar intake
- Taking prescribed medications
Consult your doctor before making adjustments to your routine for daily heart care. They can offer personalized recommendations based on your needs and abilities. Make sure to take any medications they've prescribed as instructed.
What Are the Signs of a Weak Heart?
According to the American Heart Association, common signs and symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Coughing that produces a pink or white mucus
- Swelling in the feet, legs, fingers, ankles, and/or stomach
- Weight gain
- Feeling tired all the time
- Difficulty with daily activities
- Feeling sleepy after eating
- A lack of appetite or nausea
- Memory loss, confusion, or impaired thinking
- An increased heart rate
Keep track of your symptoms, especially your weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. Review these symptoms with your doctor and report any sudden changes.
How to Improve Heart Health
Adjusting your lifestyle with easy wellness habits may improve your heart health and longevity.Consider adding these senior heart health tips to your routine after consulting your doctor.
Adjust Your Diet
To improve your heart health, adjust your diet by:
- Controlling your portion sizes
- Eating more fruits and vegetables
- Eating whole grains instead of refined grains
- Limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats
- Choosing low-fat protein sources
- Limiting your intake of sodium and salt
- Creating daily meal plans
If you're struggling to adjust your diet, review the dining options at your Midland senior living community. You can rely on their delicious, nutritious meals to improve your heart and overall health.
Consider switching to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. In 2025, the US News & World Report named the DASH diet number one for "Best Heart-Healthy Diet" and "Best Diet for High Blood Pressure."
Explore Natural Supplements
Having high blood pressure may increase your risk of heart disease and early death. Natural supplements that may help lower your blood pressure include:
- Vitamin C
- Garlic
- Beetroot
- Fish oil
- Melatonin
- Probiotics
- Green tea
- Vitamin D
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- B vitamins
- Potassium
Other supplements that may benefit your heart health include turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon.The curcumin in turmeric may offer anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger may help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, while cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar.
Many supplements can interact with common medications, including blood pressure medication. Consult a doctor before adding these natural supplements to your routine.
Engage in Low-Impact Exercise
Explore your senior living community's fitness program to discover engaging group exercise classes, including:
- Aerobics
- Water aerobics
- Swimming
- Stretching
- Pilates
- Tai chi
- Weight training
- Yoga
- Resistance band training
Exercising regularly may help you maintain a healthy weight. Otherwise, having excess belly fat may increase your blood lipid and blood pressure levels.
Aging Well With Daily Heart Care
Consider moving into a Midland senior living community to improve your overall lifestyle. Relying on their exclusive senior lifestyle programs may help you manage your stress levels.Otherwise, excessive stress may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
These lifestyle programs may include:
- Dining
- Exercising
- Socializing
- Engaging activities
Engaging in activities can combat stress while helping you meet other seniors.This may help reduce your risk of social isolation and loneliness, which could otherwise increase your risk of heart disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Worst Habit for Your Heart?
The two worst habits that may compromise your heart health are eating too much processed sugar and failing to exercise.Consuming excess sugar may increase your risk of:
- Heart failure
- Chronic inflammatory syndrome
- Diabetes
Eliminating sugar from your diet may help reduce your risk of premature coronary disease. The next time you're craving a sweet snack, consider eating fruit instead.
Your heart is a muscle. Failing to engage in physical activity may cause this muscle to beat less efficiently and effectively. Try to add 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity to your routine weekly.
Otherwise, a sedentary lifestyle may increase your risk of:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
You can find engaging exercise classes through your Midland senior living community.
What Foods Do Cardiologists Say You Shouldn't Eat?
To improve your heart health, reduce your intake of foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, salt, and sugar. These foods can include:
- Sausage, bacon, and other processed meats
- Chips, pretzels, and other processed snacks
- Fast food or fried food
- Red meat
- Sugary drinks and energy drinks
- Movie theater popcorn
Discover More Easy Wellness Habits
While learning how to improve heart health, prioritize your diet, exercise, and stress management. These easy wellness habits may help strengthen your heart, lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, and extend your longevity. Remember, you can find more helpful resources through your Midland senior living community.
Polo Park Estates Senior Living offers newly renovated apartment homes and thoughtful alterations that bring new life to our community spaces. Discover Independent Living with supportive services, including restaurant-style dining with attentive tableside services, in-house activities like mahjongg and bingo, and senior-specific fitness classes like yoga and water aerobics. Contact us now to schedule your tour.