Did you know that nearly 1 in 2 adults has high blood pressure? If left untreated, high blood pressure can have many serious detriments later in life, including heart disease. Your heart is one of your body’s most important muscles and organs, so it’s important to take care of it! Here are 5 tips to help you keep your heart happy for a longer, healthier life:

1. Eat a healthy diet – This is the one we hear all the time, and for good reason. Your diet is the best way to boost your heart health. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and legumes. Eat less salt, saturated fat and sugar.

2. Move around more – Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, as well as strength training at least 2 days a week.

3. Learn your health history – Your genetics can make you predisposed to heart disease. Find out your risks and talk to your doctor about managing them.

4. Drink less alcohol/sugar and quit smoking – Water truly is the best thing to drink. Try to cut out sugary drinks where you can and drink alcohol in moderation by limiting consumption to no more than 1 drink a day for women, 2 a day for men. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting.

5. Monitor your blood pressure – You can get self-measuring blood pressure monitors for use at home – doing so will help you keep track of your health.

How do you look after your heart health? Let us know in the comments!