6 things you need to know about your heart

Here are six things you need to know to prevent heart failure. Sleep seven to eight hours to protects your heart People who sleep less than 6 hours a night show tree times the risk of developing heart disease than those who get seven to eight hours. Sleep helps to regulate insulin activity. Lack of sleep causes your more resistance to insulin that results in higher blood sugar levels and will contribute to heart disease due to weight gain. Exhaustion is another symptom of heart disease that is often ignored in females. If you notice that you are persistently exhausted, even after sleeping well, consult your physician. Dropping just 10 lbs reduces the risk of heart disease Sure, weight matters, but your waistline can be an even better indicator of your heart health. Females with waistlines over 40 inches and males with waistlines over 45 inches are at increased risk of heart disease. Studies show that losing even just 10 to 15% of your weight can significantly improve your heart health. And 25 to 55 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times a week can help to strengthen your heart and reduce bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, especially if combined with a healthy diet. Laughter actually relaxes your arteries Laughter is truly the best medicine. The body responds to laughter by lowering stress hormone- cortisol’s levels. Having lower levels of cortisol decreases blood pressure and helps boost your immunity as well as your mood. Studies show that individuals with depression are twice as likely to have a heart attack, so be sure to add a dose of laughter to your life each day. Knowing your family history is the main key to your healthy heart Knowing your family history can help to stay on track with your healthy heart. If anyone in your family has experienced heart problems, your risk for developing cardiovascular disease increases. Make sure to tell your doctor about your family history. Snoring can be a red flag for a heart problem Don’t ignore your snore; it is a common medical condition, which increases the risk of developing heart problems. Sleep apnea is a chronic illness that makes it difficult to breathe properly while sleeping, often resulting in snoring. Overweight people are more likely to develop sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea increases susceptibility to high blood pressure and heart disease. Losing a teaspoon of salt daily takes pressure off your heart Salt is one of the most overlooked ingredients when looking at nutritional facts. High sodium is linked to development of high blood pressure and increased heart work that leads to heart disease. Check your sodium intake, especially if you are over 55 years old. Do you have high blood pressure? Then, cut out 1 tsp a day which will send you on your way to better heart health.