Five easy steps to take to maintain heart health

Good heart health is vital. Fortunately, there are lots of ways you can keep your ticker healthy – and most of them are pretty easy and even fun.

We’re not sure who it was who coined the phrase “follow your heart”, but they should have added “and look after it too”!

You may not know but the average human heart beats 60 to 100 times a minute, which equates to about 100,000 beats a day, or over the course of a 70-year lifespan, a staggering 2.5 billion beats.

Yep, what a workhorse!

The good news is that the lifestyle choices you make, including eating a healthy diet, staying active and choosing not to smoke, are just a few of the simple steps you can take to maintain your heart health.

1. Eat well

Eating a balanced and healthy diet will help look after this all-important organ.

Statistics show nine in 10 Aussie adults don’t eat enough veggies (five plus servings a day).

And almost two in three are overweight or obese, with those numbers rising.

Check the Heart Foundation’s healthy eating tips, recipes and info to help protect your heart.

2. Move your body

We’re not moving enough either. In fact, four out of five of us don’t get enough physical activity, the Heart Foundation says.

Aim to be active five or more days each week for a total of at least two and a half hours each week.

3. Don’t smoke

Stopping smoking is one of the best ways to look after your ticker and the benefits will extend far further than heart health.

Talk to your doctor about a quit plan.

4. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control

One third of Aussies have high blood pressure and more than two in five are living with high cholesterol, a no no when it comes to a happy heart.

But statistics show less than 10 per cent of adults realise this fact.

5. Support your mitochondria

The role that mitochondria play in heart health is receiving growing attention in the scientific world.

Known as the “powerhouses of the cell”, mitochondria are responsible for the energy your cells require to function effectively, including in your heart, which works continuously to keep you alive.

Ubiquinol, the active form of Coenzyme Q10 found naturally in every cell of the body, is a powerful antioxidant that supports mitochondrial energy production.

Research shows ubiquinol helps to maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular system by providing cellular energy — however, as we age, our levels of this superstar nutrient decline– especially in our hearts.

By supplementing with ubiquinol, you can boost your CoQ10 levels and help power your mitochondria.

So there you have it. Five easy steps to maintaining your heart health. Oh, and don’t forget to try and keep your stress levels under control. Happy face, happy heart!

To read more on mitochondrial health, click here.

* This post is brought to you by Kaneka Ubiquinol. Always read the label and follow directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Supplements may only be of assistance if dietary intake is inadequate. Please consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner for medical advice. Ubiquinol should be used upon consultation with a healthcare practitioner. Do not change your heart health medication without consulting your healthcare practitioner.