Five Things You Didn't Know Could Be Good for Your Heart

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You’re a smart and savvy person who cares about your health, so you probably already know the basics of helping improve heart health — stuff like exercising, maintaining a low-sodium diet and quitting smoking. But this blog post isn’t about rehashing things you probably already know. This is about all the information you likely didn’t know! For example:

A healthy heart is about the size of a fist.
A man’s heart weighs about 10 ounces, while a woman’s heart weighs approximately eight ounces.
The first pacemaker was used in 1958.
People have been dealing with heart disease for a long, long time — since at least the time of the ancient Egyptians!
Most heart attacks occur on a Monday in the fall or winter.

As interesting as those bits of trivia are, they’re not going to do much to improve your health. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of five not-so-common actions you can implement today that could help make a difference in your heart health.

A healthy heart is about the size of a fist.
A man’s heart weighs about 10 ounces, while a woman’s heart weighs approximately eight ounces.
The first pacemaker was used in 1958.
People have been dealing with heart disease for a long, long time — since at least the time of the ancient Egyptians!
Most heart attacks occur on a Monday in the fall or winter.

Tip No. 1: Laugh More

Everyone loves a good belly laugh, which is a good thing; a large dose of laughter can actually help improve your heart health. There’s evidence that a hearty chuckle (hearty — get it?) can increase blood flow, reduce stress hormones and boost your number of antibody cells. That sounds like the perfect excuse to fire up your favorite comedy movie, grab a handful of heart-healthier popcorn and get ready to laugh until you cry.

Tip No. 2: Meditate Often

Meditation, prayer or times of quiet reflection are staples of cultures the world over, and there’s a mounting body of evidence that suggests those quiet, still moments of focus and mindfulness can have a profound effect on your overall health and well-being. That includes your heart! The American Heart Association suggests that a meditation practice may help reduce your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease. What’s not to like about that?

Tip No. 3: Cuddle a Cat

Or if you’re not a cat person, give a puppy a pat. Spending time with a cute and fluffy four-legged friend can help lower your stress, boost your happiness and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Plus, spending time with a pet comes with a heart-healthy bonus — taking Fido or Fifi for a walk can be great exercise.

Tip No. 4: Take a Nap

This is possibly the easiest suggestion on the list. To get the health benefits of this activity, all you have to do is … nothing. Just lie down, and go to sleep! Studies have shown that napping once or twice per week is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Go fire up your white noise machine, fluff your pillows and get your siesta on.

Tip No. 5: Socialize with Friends and Family

It can be easy to forget about the value of good ole face-to-face interactions. But it’s important to stay on top of your relationships! People with strong relationships tend to have better cardiac prognoses than those who don’t, and a strong social network — even a virtual one on Facebook® or Instagram® — can be an incredible source of support and encouragement if you’re recovering from a heart problem.

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