RIO Fitness Chicago® Exercise & Nutrition Blog

RIO Fitness Chicago® Tip:

You're never too young or too old to start lowering your heart disease risk.

IN YOUR 20s:

1) Stop smoking! One cigarette a day stiffens your arteries by 25 percent.

2) Oral contraceptives like birth control slightly increase the risk of blood clots, and if you're a smoker, the combo can be especially dangerous.

3) Limit alcohol. Alcohol consumption can raise triglycerides, increase blood pressure and lead to weight gain, thanks to all those empty calories.

IN YOUR 30s:

1) Find positive stress management techniques that do not include food/alcohol/drugs. Stress has a direct negative impact on heart health. The constant bombardment of adrenaline raises blood pressure and destabilizes plaque in your arteries, making it likely to cause a clot or heart attack.

2) Lose the baby weight. Carrying around extra pounds can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors.

3) Stay connected to friends and family for the sake of your mood and heart. Having strong social support can help lower your blood pressure and improve other cardiovascular functions.