10 habits to PROTECT YOUR HEART

Keep your ticker in tip-top shape with these simple lifestyle changes

How’s your heart? If it’s still ticking, that’s a plus! Ideally, though, you want it to be in great working order so it can do its job (pumping oxygen-rich blood and vital nutrients to every nook and cranny of your body) with a minimum of fuss.

Statistics from the New Zealand Heart Foundation reveal that heart disease is New Zealand’s single biggest killer, claiming the lives of more than 6700 Kiwis every year – that’s more than one person every 90 minutes.

More than 170,000 New Zealanders are currently living with heart disease. Some conditions are hereditary or congenital, but many are largely preventable with support from your healthcare provider. There are steps you can take to improve your heart health.

Manageable risk factors include having high blood pressure (BP), high cholesterol, being obese or overweight, type 2 diabetes, smoking and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Some lifestyle habits are tough to change, but any inconvenience incurred trying to implement those changes will be more than worth it.

Here are a few to get you started.

1 Be aware of your personal risk factors