10 Steps to Better Heart Health

Coronary Heart Disease

It is vital to focus attention on the health of your heart. Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Ireland. However, 80% of heart disease is preventable. Do this by simply making a few small changes in diet and lifestyle.

1. Annual GP Health Check 

Get an annual health check at your GP. Be informed by checking your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure regularly. These are the risk factors for heart disease, so regular screening is one of the best ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.

2. Mediterranean Diet

Eat a Mediterranean diet to support a healthy heart. This includes lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats and wholegrain pasta. You can enjoy moderate amounts of dairy (mostly as cheese e.g. ricotta and Greek yoghurt ), Fish can be eaten regularly, and there is low consumption of meat and meat products. The Mediterranean diet discourages the consumption of saturated fats and hydrogenated oils (trans fats ). You should flavour foods with herbs, spices and stock instead of salt, which can increase your risk of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.

3. Omega-3 Intake

Up your Omega-3 intake. Omega-3 fats EPA and DHA from cold water fatty fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, salmon ) have many benefits for heart health. They have been shown to lower triglycerides, balance cholesterol, regulate heart rate and make blood platelets less sticky, overall improving heart health considerably.

Omega-3 fats EPA and DHA are found in high amounts in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna and to a lesser degree in nuts and seeds. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. 89% of Irish people are not consuming sufficient oily fish in their diet, so often there is a need to take a good quality omega-3 fish oil such as Eskimo-3 daily, which can support heart, brain and eye health.

4. Lower Cholesterol with Plant Sterols

Lower your cholesterol levels with plant sterols. Studies have shown that plant sterols can help to reduce cholesterol. As plant sterols are structurally similar to human cholesterol, they work by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, which contributes to a significant decrease in the blood LDL (bad) cholesterol level. New research confirms that 1.6g (2 tablets ) Zerochol plant sterols can lower cholesterol by 17% in 3 months, without any side effects. Zerochol also reduced Triglycerides by 17%, further improving the overall lipid profile and reducing risk of heart disease.

5. Eat Less Red Meat

Limit your consumption of red meat. Red meat is high in saturated fats, which contribute to heart disease. It is important to reduce your red meat consumption by eating more vegetarian meals, fish, poultry, eggs, beans and legumes.

6. Eat Good Fats

Be smart about fats. Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut butter, olive oil, oily fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, salmon and herring ) and fish oil, are the good fats. They help balance your blood sugar, balance your insulin, and correct lipid problems.

7. Keep Active and Control Weight

Stay active and keep your weight under control. The key to heart health is to keep moving and avoid being sedentary. Ideally, aim to get your heart rate up with at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 5 times a week. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease. If overweight, follow a healthy diet with portion control and exercise regularly to lose weight and improve overall heart health.

8. Manage Stress Levels

Manage your stress. Try meditation, yoga, or simply being silent and still for 10 minutes a day. Be mindful of stress in your life and take extra care of your heart.

9. Quit Smoking

Stop Smoking. Smoking is also a major risk factor for heart disease as it contributes to hardening of the arteries. Visit quit.ie for advice on how to break the habit.