In the United States, we lose one person every 36 seconds from heart disease.

That is around a quarter of the total number of deaths, and it is a truly horrifying statistic. As we age, our risk of developing heart disease increases exponentially.

Changing your lifestyle can be a challenge, but adopting a healthier one is the only way to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

As hard as it is to start, it will be harder on you and your family if you ignore your heart health until it is too late. There are ways to reduce your risk and improve your heart health before becoming a statistic yourself.

Below are five great tips for seniors to help their keep hearts healthy and happy:

1. Quit Smoking

We are all aware of how bad smoking is, but there are still millions of people around the world who have yet to kick the habit.

If you still smoke and you are older, your risk of damaging your body is exceedingly high. Cigarette smoking damages blood vessels and puts a massive strain on your cardiovascular system.

Your doctor can suggest helpful ways to quit smoking sooner rather than later – it is the right decision to make if you want to live a long and happy life enjoying your retirement.

2. Heart Healthy Diet

Your body needs the right combination of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.

Adopt a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Avoid saturated fats and salty foods to help keep your cholesterol and blood pressure in check.

Older people need plenty of fiber in their diet - so choose whole-grain foods as often as possible. Eat two to three servings of fatty fish a week. Examples of these fish include mackerel, sardines, salmon, and canned light tuna.

3. Know Your Numbers

All adults need to know and monitor their numbers, but that becomes even more vital as we age.

Knowing your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar numbers can significantly influence heart health. Schedule regular appointments with your doctor to keep your numbers closely monitored as you age.

If you want to learn more about cholesterol and how long it takes to lower it, click here.

This step alone can help to detect and treat health problems before too much damage is done to your body.

4. Physical Activity

Regular exercise helps the heart pump more efficiently.

It also lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and assists with maintaining a healthy weight. As we get older, extra weight can wreak havoc on our joints and bodies so find fun ways to keep moving.

A great way to stay in shape and have a blast at the same time is to sign up for dance classes. Dancing is a fun way to connect with other seniors and participate in heart-healthy activities.

Most dance classes allow participants to move at a pace they are comfortable with, so there will be no pressure to perform.

5. Minimize Stress

Higher stress levels can be devasting to your health and well-being at any age, but older bodies tend to show signs of stress more than younger ones.

Stress symptoms can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and health. Knowing the most common signs of stress can help to identify and manage it. Unmanaged stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Minimize stress by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or tai chi.

In Conclusion

We all want more time with our friends and family, especially when there are grandchildren involved. Never take your health for granted and always be prepared to make changes for the sake of being healthier.