Maintaining a functioning heart is essential. Learn to recognize the signs that your heart is healthy – and how to keep it that way.
According to the Framingham Heart Study, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease means steering clear of six big factors. These risk factors include high total cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. If you want to make sure you have a healthy heart, consider the following signs that your heart is healthy.
1. Target Resting Heart Rate
Checking your heart rate either manually or with a device is the best way to monitor your heart strength. An adult man should have a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm), while athletes have it lower at around 40to 60 bpm.
2. Optimal Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease, which is why you should improve your circulation. You can measure it at your doctor’s office, the pharmacy, or at home with a home blood pressure monitor.
3. Good EKG
Electrocardiograms (EKG) are not generally part of a physical, but you can request one if you have heart disease symptoms. The EKG machine will be able to track your heartbeat as you lie still and detect certain heart problems.
4. High Energy Levels
If your heart is working properly, you will feel energetic due to your body getting the nutrients it needs. However, if you have clogged or hardened arteries, your heart won’t be able to pump enough blood or deliver nutrients.
5. Great Cholesterol
Your total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL, LDL less than 100 mg/dL, and HDL higher than 60 mg/dL. Furthermore, having high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, reducing or blocking circulation.
6. Stress-Testing
When we think of stress, we usually think of everyday stress due to problems at work, at home, and more. However, your doctor can also do a test to measure how well your heart handles stress brought on by exercise.
7. Excellent Glucose Levels
Having high blood sugar levels can increase your risk of heart disease and getting a stroke. Conversely, if your readings show that you have 100 mg/dL after eight hours of not eating, you’re doing well.
8. High Maximum Heart Rate
If you want to check your heart rate at home, get on a treadmill or spin bike and exercise as hard as you can for three minutes. Afterward, check your heart rate. If it’s around 70%-85% of the max for your age (220 minus your age), you’re doing great.
The Outlook
If you’re doing great in all these areas, then you have a healthy heart. However, if you need to improve your heart health, some of the best things you can do are exercise regularly and eat healthily.
Moreover, you can add heart supplements like L-arginine Plus to your daily health routine. Try L-arginine Plus as a way to effectively and safely support your blood pressure, energy levels, and more.