How to Guard Your Cardiovascular Health (And Why You Should)

Most people are very aware of the vital functions in which the cardiovascular system is involved. Still, it’s easy to overlook how our daily habits can either help or harm this integral aspect of health and wellness. A healthy cardiovascular system continually pumps oxygenated blood out into the body, including the most peripheral points in the limbs. The cardiovascular system also filters CO2 from the blood and it helps us to maintain regulated body temperature. If this system is neglected for too long, it can become the origin of disease. Our attention is needed to ensure it continues to function well throughout the many decades of our lives. At the Vascular Institute of Virginia, we provide services that aid in the diagnosis and management of vascular disease. Here, we discuss a few simple ways to guard cardiovascular health.

Sleep

If you’re like most people, you sleep according to your daily schedule. You get up with enough time to get ready for work or other activities, power through your day, and, maybe, spend a few hours relaxing before bed each night. This may not be problematic, provided that you feel well-resourced throughout your days. If you feel groggy and foggy, chances are you may be robbing your body of the sleep it needs to fully rejuvenate. On average, most people need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Quizzes regarding sleep style can be found online and can serve as a guide in better understanding what your body needs.

Physical Activity

We inherently know that exercise is about much more than managing weight and liking the way we look. However, many people get stuck in this mindset anyway. Exercise is a vital necessity to cardiovascular health because it raises our heart rate and blood pressure for short periods of time. Increased heart rate can improve the efficacy of our circulatory process so the body receives more oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood.

Stress Management

Numerous studies have provided more than enough data to understand the dangers of unmanaged stress. It has been named as a risk factor for stroke, heart disease, and more. We cannot think of a better reason to develop workable stress management skills. We hear so often that meditation is a good way to manage stress that we might get caught up in this mindset, and meditation sounds difficult. Options like guided meditations are easy to follow and are highly accessible to most people. There is also something called “walking meditation,” a practice of simply walking in nature and letting thoughts come and go freely. Additional options for stress management include working in a garden, coloring, and doing yoga.

Our vascular services are available in Fairfax, Woodbridge, and Fredericksburg. Contact us at 703-763-5224 to schedule a visit.