Managing Your Heart Health At Home—A Guide

Your heart is the primary organ responsible for keeping the others functioning and in good shape. From the brain to the liver, everything relies on your heart to keep the blood pumping and functions running, so it comes as no surprise that those with heart conditions are more vulnerable to COVID-19.  

While you're taking all necessary precautions, socially distancing, and staying at home, it's important to give your body a fighting chance by working on your cardiovascular health. You need to keep your heart healthy even if you’re at home.

This might come as a challenge because across the country, access to medical care apart from emergencies has been restricted, especially at public hospitals. However, this does not give you a reason to neglect your heart health; instead, take it as an opportunity to work on things at home.

Monitor your food intake

“Quarantine snacking” has affected everyone across the board. From teenagers to middle-aged men and women, everyone seems to be hitting the kitchen whipping up some sort of new delicacy, ordering a ton of snacks, and spending hours binge eating while binge-watching T.V. shows.

It might be a welcome break for most people leading busy lives, but it's definitely still unhealthy, especially in excess. Instead, add healthy fats, good carbs, lots of protein, fiber through fruit and vegetables to your diet, especially during the stay-at-home period.

Manage stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety are inevitable while you're at home, away from work and responsibilities, worried about the future, your income, rents and utilities, and everything else under the sun. The volatile nature of the virus is enough to have anyone wrought with worry; however, it's essential to manage that stress.

Stress affects your blood pressure and can worsen hypertension or other heart conditions. It can also lead to more serious conditions, such as heart attacks and anginas.

Meditate, practice yoga, release tension through hobbies, stretch, talk to loved ones. Do anything that alleviates stress and anxiety for you.

Make exercise a daily necessity

So what if you can't hit the gym? Cardio isn't only reserved for the treadmill! You can still head out for a run—provided you exercise extreme precaution and protocol—or workout at home.

Don't sit or stay in the same place for too long in general. Stay on the move; help out with chores, run errands, exercise, cook, or engage in activities that keep you up and about throughout the day.

Get enough sleep and rest

In addition to all that, however, is the need for adequate sleep and rest. Take this time to catch up on all the sleep you’ve been craving instead of binging television shows into the wee hours of the morning.

You need to sleep in order to give your body, including all your muscles, time to repair, recover, and rest. Sleep is often underestimated for its importance with heart health, sacrificed in the pursuit of productivity, which should be far from it.

If you have an existing heart condition, work closely with a reliable cardiology practitioner such as Dr. Banks, founder of the Specialist Healthcare and Aesthetics Clinic, who has over two decades of experience in his field. Based in Columbus, OH, he is one of the top cardiologists in town, offering heart attack treatments and comprehensive care to his patients. Contact him today to schedule a consultation.