Heart Healthy Hints For You and Your Honey

This Valentine’s Day we want to encourage you and your loved one to hold each other accountable when it comes to heart health.This Valentine’s Day we want to encourage you and your loved one to hold each other accountable when it comes to heart health. A happy, long life together starts with the body’s most important organ, so make sure you both are doing all you can to show it some love. Here we have outlined some hints to keep you and your Valentine’s hearts healthy year-round.

They way to anyone’s heart is through food, but not all foods are created equal regarding the heart. Choose a diet with foods that will provide the body with an adequate amount of B vitamins (especially folic acid), essential fatty acids, coenzyme Q-10, vitamin C, calcium/magnesium, resveratrol, L-carnitine, quercetin, polyphenols, monounsaturated fats, lycopene, potassium and fiber. Each of these nutrients plays an essential role in keeping our hearts in tip top shape and avoiding heart complications. If you find that you and/or your spouse’s diets are lacking in any of these think about starting a supplement regimen to make up for any deficits. Additionally, excessive salt, white bread, trans fats, saturated fats, and sugar should be avoided or strictly moderated for a heart healthy diet. Nothing says “romance” like a home cooked meal for your special someone, so consider loving them and their heart with these nutrients and a healthy recipe the next time you light the candles and set the table for two.

Most people don’t realize that the heart is not just an organ, but it is a muscle that needs to be exercised like any other skeletal muscle to remain strong and operational. There are a slew of cardio exercises and activities that can be done to promote heart health no matter your training level.  To keep each other accountable in your heart health journey, find a physical activity that you both love and can do together. Whether it’s tennis pairs, taking long walks, or training together for that hiking vacation, exercise is always more fun and more successful when you have someone by your side. Push each other to be your healthiest selves and make your hearts strong while spending time doing something you both enjoy together.

We all know that hydration is key for general health, but for the heart specifically, hydration aids in better blood circulation. When we are properly hydrated the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body. Be your partner’s friendly, constant reminder to stay on top of their water intake. It is easy to go a day without drinking anything, but it is also easy to be intentional and encouraging to each other while stressing the importance of hydration and heart function. Just like the red roses you receive on Valentine’s Day, your heart needs water to thrive.

The last hint for you and your honey is to start your day with an Attitude of Gratitude. People who possess a positive outlook on life tend to be less stressed in general which is great for the heart. Share this attitude and love with your significant other and everyone you encounter. Our mission is to promote a healthy and prolonged life, but even so, life is too short to not spread love and happiness.

We hope these hints will lead you to a healthier lifestyle and relationship. Be sure to encourage the love of your life to visit their doctor for well visits frequently and to get the supplements and exercise they need to live a long, healthy life with you! Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at Life Priority!

How Your Body Functions (or Doesn’t) When Circulation is Poor

It is easy to relate being cold to poor circulation, when you really dissect the problem it actually leads to a multitude of issues.As we are in the thick of winter it is easy to relate being cold to poor circulation, but when you really dissect the problem of poor blood circulation it actually leads to a multitude of issues. It is important to understand the symptoms of restricted blood flow so you can address the matter early on before it becomes a more life threatening complication.

As mentioned, poor circulation can result in feeling cold especially in the extremities, even when you’re not in a cold environment. Other mild, but irritating symptoms include, numbness and tingling of limbs, muscle cramps, and dry skin.

As circulation worsens, the musculoskeletal system becomes more affected. Muscle aches and pains become more heightened and depending on the severity of the restriction, muscles can even begin to atrophy to the point where they become dysfunctional. Poor circulation in the legs specifically, can result in peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Like any other muscle, the heart can be greatly affected by poor circulation. Just like the aches and pains experienced in the muscles, the heart can ache and chest tightness can ensue. Many times, poor circulation is due to blockages in arteries that can also result in more serious conditions like heart attacks, heart disease and stroke.  

Hypertension is a circulatory disease that results in poor circulation. Blood pressure readings are based off of how hard your heart is pumping and the diameter and stiffness of your arteries. Imagine you have a large glass of water and you are only given a cocktail straw to drink it. The effort exerted to get the liquid through the cocktail straw is going to be a lot stronger than if you had been offered a regular drinking straw. When arteries are stiff and small in diameter the heart has to work harder to get enough blood pumped through these small, non-pliable tunnels. When circulation is limited in this manner, all of the mentioned symptoms can occur.

Poor circulation is tricky because it literally can affect all of the body’s functions. It makes physical movement more difficult, it makes skin drier, and it can make you lose your sense of touch sensation. Many of these symptoms can also result from many different conditions so it is important to consult your doctor to help rule out anything that  could potentially be life threatening. Treatment of poor circulation could result in medication, dietary supplementation, lifestyle changes, and/or medical procedures.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you and take the necessary steps to combat your poor circulation problems today. Be sure to talk to your doctor ASAP if you’re concerned about potential heart issues. 

Sources:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/peripheral-artery-disease
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/peripheral-artery-disease-often-silent-sometimes-deadly-potentially-preventable-201210245448
http://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/when-chest-pain-strikes-what-to-expect-at-the-emergency-room
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/angina-and-its-silent-cousin
http://www.health.harvard.edu/family-health-guide/heart-blood-vessels-and-circulation
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/blood-pressure-and-your-brain
http://www.healthline.com/health/poor-circulation-symptoms-causes#Symptoms2

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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