How to improve heart health: Diet, exercise, and more

Heart disease is a major public health concern in the United States. Besides taking medicines a doctor prescribes, a person can take a range of actions to improve their heart health. This includes eating a healthy diet, keeping active, and avoiding behaviors such as smoking.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)there are several ways a person can reduce their risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Keeping blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels in healthy ranges can help.

In this article, we will explain how to improve heart health.

Many of the recommendations for improving heart health focus on diet.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people consume:

  • a variety of vegetables and fruits
  • whole grains
  • lean proteins, such as seafood and plant proteins from tofu and other sources
  • liquid, nontropical oils, such as olive or avocado oil
  • minimally processed foods
  • no added
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Priority Health and National Fitness Campaign announce partnership extension to bring free outdoor health and wellness across Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Priority Health announced a three-year partnership extension with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today to continue the delivery of a comprehensive wellness initiative in Michigan centered on the outdoor Fitness Court®. Priority Health is the official NFC sponsor in Michigan, and the campaign extension will bring up to 30 new Priority Health Fitness Courts by the end of 2025.

Priority Health partnered with NFC in 2019 to fight obesity and improve the quality of life for Michigan communities. Building on the success of programs in more than 15 communities including Highland Park, Detroit, Grand Traverse County and Grand Rapids, to name a few, Priority Health Fitness Courts will reach approximately one third of Michiganders and provide free access to wellness within a 10-minute bike ride from their homes. In total, the program has already united over $3 million of public-private investment across Michigan and will

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Could a pill to strengthen muscle and bone replace exercise?

A close-up of the arm muscles of a muscular male, in dark moody lightingShare on Pinterest
Scientists are edging closer to finding solutions for muscle and bone loss. Jonathan Knowles/Getty Images
  • Physical activity is known to promote bone and muscle health.
  • Aging, lifestyle, and chronic disease can lead to physical inactivity, which is associated with bone and muscle loss.
  • New research has now identified a drug that can mimic physical exercise in mice.
  • The new drug, called locamidazole, can increase bone formation, mineral density, muscle thickness, and muscle strength in mice.

When we are physically active our bones and muscles work together to make them stronger. To maintain bone health, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends a combination of weight-bearing activities 3–5 times per week and resistance exercise 2–3 times a week.

Research has shown lifelong exercise to be beneficial for preserving bone health, and a reduction in physical exercise results in bone loss. The CDC advocates regular physical activity to strengthen

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