1. You Bank on Your Workout
1 / 8
Do you exercise? That’s great. But if you sit down for most of the rest of your day, that’s a problem. You need to be active all day long. Little bursts count. If you have a desk job, take a short walk every hour to boost your circulation, even if it’s just to your break room
2. You Say ‘I’m Too Young’
2 / 8
Don’t wait to work on keeping your heart healthy. Exercise, eat a healthy diet, and know your numbers — blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. The ideal time to do your heart a favor is now.
4. You Dis a Good-for-You Diet
4 / 8
You may think it’s going to be all oat bran, all the time. Surprise! There’s no reason for your food to be bland and boring. A Mediterranean-style diet has delicious foods like olive oil, nuts, fruit, whole grains, fish, lean protein, and red wine. It helps keep your heart healthy, thanks to the “good” fats, fiber, and nutrients. Plus, you’ll actually want to stick to this diet because it tastes so good!
5. You Don’t Know Your Numbers
5 / 8
Pop quiz: What’s your cholesterol level? How about your blood pressure? No clue? That’s risky. They could be too high without you knowing. (You could feel just fine and have high cholesterol or high blood pressure.) So protect yourself. Starting at age 20, make sure you see your doctor regularly and create a plan to check and track your numbers.
6. Waist Not
6 / 8
Belly fat is particularly bad for your heart. So get your tape measure and size up the inches around your waist. It’s a red flag if it’s more than 35 inches around for women or 40 inches for men. Need to slim down? Take it step by step. Even losing a small amount of weight is good for your heart
7. You Ignore Your Blues
7 / 8
When you feel low, it’s hard to do things that are good for you, like exercise. If you have felt down for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Talk therapy, exercise, and medication (if needed) can improve your mood so you have more energy to take care of yourself
Restaurant Food
1 / 12
The shrimp fried rice at your favorite spot might be amazing, but it’s likely full of sodium. Research suggests most of the sodium in U.S. diets comes from restaurant and packaged foods. Look for low-sodium menu options or ask the chef to make your meal without salt. Try other flavors instead, like lemon juice on fish and veggies. Most adults should eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. That’s one teaspoon
Frozen Meals
2 / 12
They’re fast and convenient. But they’re also loaded with sodium, so it’s best to avoid them. If you need something quick every once in a while, look for options with 600 milligrams of sodium or less
Salty Snacks
3 / 12
Most chips, crackers, and popcorn are high in sodium. For instance, a 1-ounce serving of plain potato chips has about 50-200 milligrams. Try low- or no-sodium nuts, seeds, chips, or pretzels when cravings hit. Or try fresh carrots or celery sticks for a satisfying crunch
Preparando 