8 ways to rewrite your heart health destiny

Have you ever felt like your genes are working against you?

Maybe your dad had a heart attack, your mom had a stroke or your grandparents had heart disease, and you feel doomed to follow in their footsteps.

But even if your family’s health history is stacked against you, the fate of your heart is far from sealed.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s no denying genetics play a role in your risk of heart disease and other health problems. But despite what you’ve been led to believe by some doctors and scientists, your DNA is not your destiny…

You can change your genetic response

Your genes are not set in stone. In fact, they’re more like clay than stone. They can be shaped and molded by the things around them. And if you’re familiar with the field of epigenetics, you may already know this…

Epigenetics is the study of how outside factors affect the expression of your genes. According to epigenetics, the things you put in your body and the things you’re exposed to in your environment can switch certain genes on and off and rewrite your health destiny.

This is good news because it means your health is largely in your hands — even if you have some genetic obstacles to overcome.  And this is especially true when it comes to your heart health…

Overcoming a genetic risk for heart problems

A recent study conducted researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) found that people with an increased genetic risk of heart disease can cut their risk in half by practicing healthy habits.

These researchers studied the health records of more than 55,000 people, and they discovered that even people with a 90 percent higher risk of heart disease due to genetics were able to reduce their risk by making a few simple lifestyle changes, like:

• Not smoking
• Maintaining a body mass index less than 30
• Exercising at least once a week
• Eating a healthy diet

Now, these lifestyle changes are nothing groundbreaking. In fact, they’re probably things you’re already doing, and then some.

But, if by some chance you’re not already doing these things, you need to make some changes to reclaim control of your heart health destiny. In fact, if you really want to make a dent in your heart disease risk you should go a few steps further and:

1. Exercise at least 10 minutes per day, 20 preferably.
2. Get at least seven hours of sleep per night.
3. Never drink more than one alcoholic drink per day — preferably beer or wine.
4. Eat the heart healthiest diet around — the Mediterranean diet. It works for the Italians.
5. Stay well hydrated because dehydration affects your heart like smoking a cigarette.
6. Drink at least two cups of tea per day.
7. Maintain an active sex life.
8. Develop close relationships with people and pets.

All of these simple habits have been scientifically proven to lower your heart disease risk. So if you’re serious about defying your genes, don’t waste any time—make these changes now and create a future free from heart disease.

Sources:

1. “Study finds following a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce genetic heart attack risk.” Massachusetts General Hospital. http://www.massgeneral.org. Retrieved November 14, 2016.

2. “Why Your DNA Isn’t Your Destiny.” Mercola.com. http://articles.mercola.com. Retrieved November 14, 2016.

3. “30 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke.” Reader’s Digest. http://www.rd.com. Retrieved November 14, 2016.