Nowadays people suffering from heart disease are ubiquitous, heart disease being the second “disease of the century”, after cancer.A sibling or one of your friends might be suffering from a type of heart disease, and if you do not take measures immediately, someday you might find yourself in the doctor’s cabinet, waiting for results. However, the situation is not as dramatic as it may seem since there are several simple ways to protect yourself from heart diseases:

1. Start exercising. You have a wide variety of cardio-beneficial sports to choose from, including aerobics, swimming, bicycling and even kickboxing. It is, indeed, hard to start exercising all of the sudden and it requires ambition, but once you get the hang of it, you will be addicted to sports.
2. Extra-virgin olive oil is considered a magic potion. It contains anti-oxidants and it helps lower your cholesterol level (which is the main factor that causes heart disease by clogging arteries), even though it has many calories. It may cost a bit more than the regular virgin olive oil, but it definitely is worth it.
3. Eat healthy.  Abandon the hamburgers, sausages, cakes and chips and choose high-fiber cereal, skinless poultry and low fat milk instead. Such a change might utterly change your life for the better.
4. Drink red wine. In moderation, obviously ( 1 glass/day for women and 2 glasses for men) due to the fact that it helps clear the blood vessels near your heart.
5. Try not to elevate your blood pressure too often. In order to temper yourself, use relaxation techniques or even take a yoga class. Heart attacks often occur when people are upset or shocked.
6. Quit smoking. It does nothing but damage your body, and you certainly are aware of that. Heart disease is one more thing to add to the ‘con’ list and might make you consider trying some methods to halt this bad habit.

All-in-all, a healthy lifestyle is all you need to keep both your body and your mind in a good shape, including your heart. Perhaps next time you pass by a pizza parlor or buy another pack of cigars you will think of your heart and leave behind all your bad habits.