Naturally Protecting your Heart

When we think of a healthy lifestyle we often think of a good diet and exercise, but health experts say when it comes to protecting your heart managing your stress is also important.

Teresa Spano, a naturopathic consultant with Lee Memorial Health System, says breathing exercises, walking, an even playing with your pets can help manage your stress. “Stress can be extremely difficult on your heart. Even just having something small that you could do on a daily basis, whether it’s breathing deeply for three deep breaths, anything that you find can ground and center yourself is very helpful.”

Health experts say it’s also important to make sure you’re being active every day and avoiding sugary snacks and high processed foods. “The best thing to do is just decrease your risk factors that you do have control of,” said Spano.

She says people should limit the amount of alcohol and stay away from smoking. “It’s really important that people understand that diet and lifestyle comes absolutely first. You can’t take a supplement to cover up bad diet or bad lifestyle.”

When it comes to taking supplements, Spano says make sure you know what you’re taking. Some supplements can do more harm than good. “There are a lot of risks that can occur because you’re not taking something that’s safe or right for you.”

Foods with fiber, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids are important. “All the vegetables are really fantastic because a lot of them have fiber, which can help decrease your bad cholesterol levels. Omega fatty acids are fantastic, which is those oily fish. Those are really important because they can help decrease inflammation. Antioxidants in a lot of different fruits can help to decrease damage too from different stressors in our environment,” said Spano.

Finally, make sure you’re giving your body and heart the rest it needs.

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.