6 surprising heart health tips

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in America.

About 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The kicker: More than half of the adults in the U.S. don’t know heart disease is the leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association.

Heart disease can sneak up on you. High blood pressure and high cholesterol have no noticeable symptoms, so by the time they cause enough damage to create complications such as a heart attack or stroke, many people are caught off guard.

“The good news is that heart disease is not inevitable. There are a number of lifestyle choices we can make and screenings we can do to stay on top of our heart health,” said Caroline Ball, MD, a cardiologist with Endeavor Health.

Almost everyone knows a healthy diet and regular exercise helps keep our hearts healthy, but there are other interesting things that can improve or maintain our heart health you might not know about.

1. Snuggle. Snuggling with a significant other can greatly reduce stress by releasing oxytocin, which helps to reduce blood pressure.
2. Laugh. A good laugh can cause blood vessels to dilate by 22%, increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure.
3. Have a morning cup of coffee. Coffee has been associated with lower risks for heart rhythm issues. Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day may be associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
4. Keep a pet. Studies have found an association between pet ownership and lower blood pressure. Caring for a pet might also increase your physical movement, another thing that can help keep your heart healthy.
5. Get just enough sleep. Too little sleep (less than 5 hours per night) or too much sleep (more than 9 hours per night) can increase your risk of heart disease. The sweet spot? Between 7-9 hours.
6. Eat food with (good) fat. Consuming monounsaturated fats — found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil — and polyunsaturated fats — found in oily fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, and certain oils like canola and sunflower — can help lower “bad” cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

Ask your doctor what you should do to stay on top of your heart health.