Healthy habits: 3 tips for a hearthealthy lifestyle.

As our lives evolve, so do our habits. And, sometimes not positively. With heart disease killing more adults in the U.S than any other disease, it’s time to make fresh, positive changes for heart health.

Kamal Riad, MD, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills Family Health Center, says that making changes can impact your health greatly.

Dr. Riad offers three tips to overcome barriers to a hearthealthy lifestyle:

1. Modify your diet. Focus on healthy changes, not fad diets. Decrease salt intake, eat more fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water.

2. Get more sleep. Busy schedules can subtract from our sleep time. Make sure to get at least seven hours a night. Poor sleep can lead to increased blood pressure.

3. Take a stand. More people are working from home, causing a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for prolonged periods can have a negative effect on your heart. Break up periods of inactivity and get your blood pumping by taking a five-minute walk at least once an hour.

Some heart risk factors, like race and family history, aren’t modifiable. It’s important to address ones that are.

When should you see a cardiologist?

Cardiologists treat many heart health-related issues even before they become a problem. For example, if you have a family history of heart disease, you might see a cardiologist to make sure you’re addressing any potential risk factors, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Talk to a cardiologist if you have any serious, persistent symptoms like chest pain or discomfort, feeling faint, shortness of breath or swelling in your legs. These could be signs of heart disease or heart failure.

For more information about heart health, visit ClevelandClinic.org/LoveYourHeart. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Riad or another cardiologist at Willoughby Hills Family Health Center, call 440.943.2500.