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What Everyone Over 40 Should Know About Their Heart

by | Oct 27, 2015 | Blog

By the age of 40, your heart has beat an incredible 1,680,000,000 times. Your heart is so hard working that even when it’s struggling to keep you alive it’s hard to notice that there is a problem; until it’s too late.

The Truth About Your 40 Year Old Heart

For men and women over 40, heart attacks are the biggest threat to their lives. Many people over 40 don’t know they are at risk because their hearts keep beating regardless of their poor diets or lack of exercise. It doesn’t take much to start killing your heart, but luckily preventing cardiac arrest and heart disease doesn’t take much either.

Check Your Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the main indicator of a healthy heart. Having low blood pressure is a good sign, because it means your blood is pumping smoothly throughout your body, and that there is nothing obstructing your arteries.

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: diastolic and systolic pressure. Diastolic is the pressure of your resting heart between beats, and should remain under 80. Systolic pressure measures the blood rushing in and out of your arteries and should remain under 120.

Easing The Pressure

Anyone, regardless of age, should be wary of a blood pressure measurement over 120/80. High blood pressure is indicative of more serious heart problems.

Thankfully, there are plenty of natural solutions to lowering your blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart attack and disease:

  • Exercise Regularly, even if it’s just a walk around the block.
  • Eat Less Sodium, it’s possible to have a healthy and delicious diet and still eat less than 1,200 milligrams of salt per day. Take a look.
  • Don’t Eat Processed Food, eat fresh food as much as possible. Fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.

If you’re over 40, we recommend staying updated on your hearts health by scheduling regular visits. See your primary care physician, or Contact Us at Mountain Peaks Family Practice.