3 Unexpected Ways to Improve Heart Health

There are three unexpected and easy habits that you might not think of as heart-healthy but they can be. You are probably doing one of them now.

First, drink black coffee.

Not too much and not too little. Between 3-5 regular-sized cups of coffee per day may reduce your risk of heart disease by 30%.

An analysis of three large heart disease studies found that people who drank black, caffeinated coffee without any of the fancy extras lowered their risk of heart disease.

The studies also showed that decaf increases the risk of heart disease as does added sugars or fat, so trade that White Chocolate Mocha for an Americano.

Second, have the occasional nap.

A study published in the journal Heart shows that the occasional, once or twice a week, nap reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke by 48% when compared to those who did not nap at all.

If you like an afternoon nap on the weekend, that’s great and healthy, especially for your heart.

Third, be careful what you wish for.

You just might get it.

A new study from Oregon state shows that what you believe about ageing is true, for you. Shelbie Turner, a doctoral student in OSU’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences and co-author on the study says,

“How we think about who we’re going to be in old age is very predictive of exactly how we will be” 

Science Daily

Many studies, including this one, have proven that how we think about ageing when we are 50 is predictive of our long term health. This includes our cardiovascular health, hospitalizations and mortality.

Karen Hooker, co-author of the study and the Jo Anne Leonard Petersen Endowed Chair in Gerontology and Family Studies at Oregon State University adds,

“People need to realize that some of the negative health consequences in later life might not be biologically driven. The mind and the body are all interwoven. If you believe these bad things are going to happen, over time that can erode people’s willingness or maybe even eventually their ability to engage in those health behaviours that are going to keep them as healthy as they can be.”

Science Daily

Negative stereotypes about ageing are everywhere and start young. One way to change this is to spend time with people of all ages. Intergenerational relationships were part of family life not that long ago and they can help improve everyone’s long-term health.

Want to improve your heart health? Drink your coffee black, take a nap, and be optimistic about the future you.

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla