--- title: Not So Common Ways to Improve Your Heart Health description: Yes, you should eat right and exercise daily, but did you know there are some fun not-so-common ways to improve your heart health? Check them out here! image: https://blog.hearthugger.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/heart-health-1.jpg --- [![Tribute Media](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hubfs/Heart_Hugger_April2018%20Theme/Images/logo.png)](https://www.hearthugger.com) - [Contact](https://www.hearthugger.com/contact) toll free 800.798.2667 outside the U.S.408.395.2100 [![Home](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hubfs/logo-icon.png)](https://www.hearthugger.com) - [About Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/about-heart-hugger) - [What is Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/what-heart-hugger) - [Why Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/why-heart-hugger) - [How To Use](https://www.hearthugger.com/how-to-use) - [Sizing and Fitting](https://www.hearthugger.com/sizing-and-fitting) - [Surgi Support Vest](https://www.hearthugger.com/surgi-support-vest) - [For Patients](https://www.hearthugger.com/patients) - [Heart Health](https://www.hearthugger.com/heart-health) - [Preparing for Surgery](https://www.hearthugger.com/preparing-for-surgery) - [After Your Surgery](https://www.hearthugger.com/after-your-surgery) - [Complications & Solutions](https://www.hearthugger.com/complications-solutions) - [Respiratory Complications](https://www.hearthugger.com/respiratory-complications) - [Sternal Wound Complications](https://www.hearthugger.com/sternal-wound-complications) - [Sternal Wound Stability (and the Pillow)](https://www.hearthugger.com/sternal-wound-stability) - [FAQs](https://www.hearthugger.com/faqs) - [For Healthcare Professionals](https://www.hearthugger.com/healthcare-professionals) - [Studies & Resources](https://www.hearthugger.com/studies-and-resources) - [Economic Implications of Complications](https://www.hearthugger.com/economic-implications-of-complications) - [Patient Compliance & The Clinical Pathway](https://www.hearthugger.com/patient-compliance-and-the-clinical-pathway) - [Tradeshows](https://www.hearthugger.com/tradeshows) - [How to Purchase](https://www.hearthugger.com/how-to-purchase) - [Find a Rep in Your Area](https://www.hearthugger.com/request-rep-information) - [Request Sample](https://www.hearthugger.com/request-sample) - [FDA & Medicare](https://www.hearthugger.com/fda-and-medicare) - [Blog](https://www.hearthugger.com/blog) - [Buy Now](https://www.hearthugger.com/products) *menu* menu [800.798.2667](tel:+18007982667) # Not So Common Ways to Improve Your Heart Health Posted by [Heart Hugger](https://blog.hearthugger.com/author/heart-hugger) on Mar 26, 2021 12:26:08 PM ![woman wearing a sweater smiling with hands on chest with grateful gesture on face](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/heart-health-1.jpg?width=1240&name=heart-health-1.jpg "woman wearing a sweater smiling with hands on chest with grateful gesture on face") [Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women](https://blog.hearthugger.com/heart-disease-in-women-vs.-men) in the United States, and while most of us know that we should be eating right and exercising to reduce our risk, what are some not as well-known ways to get heart healthy? The good news is, that some of these less-known ways to take care of your heart might be things that you are already doing, or would like to start doing anyway, and we consider that a win-win! Heart health isn’t just about doing (or not doing) one or two things. Ideally, it’s a wholesome list of activities, habits, and patterns that won’t only enhance your heart health, but the rest of your life as well! So what are some things you can do to [improve your heart health](https://blog.hearthugger.com/improving-heart-health-the-natural-way) that you might not have heard before? ## Stretch Yourself While there is no substitute for vigorous exercise, adding gentle stretches to your exercise routine has been shown to improve the health of your blood vessels, along with all the other benefits that stretching provides to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Regular stretching can prevent injuries, improve blood flow, and help you recover faster from more strenuous exercise as well. ## Take a Bath If you were looking for a justification to take a bath every day, here it is! Taking a hot bath every day not only lowers your blood pressure (which is important for heart-health) but also can help alleviate stress, which is another important component of heart-health too! Don’t forget the bubbles! ## Do Something You Love Hobbies and self-care that allow you to take a break, slow things down, and focus on something lovely have been proven to lower blood pressure, stress levels and improve other markers of good heart health as well. Tai Chi for instance is a great way to take care of your head, your heart and your sense of well-being too. ## Take that Vacation Stress reduction isn’t just about feeling good, it’s also about being good to your heart, and skipping or postponing those vacations isn’t good for either of you! So take that vacation (even if it’s just a day-trip or for a night), and remember to unplug, turn off, and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells around you. ## Eat Fun Foods Heart health isn’t just about what you DON’T eat, it’s also about [what you DO eat](https://blog.hearthugger.com/best-heart-healthy-diet), and eating should be fun! Add some beans to your salsa for a boost of fiber, grab some almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Slice up an apple or a pear, eat a piece of dark chocolate, and top that salad with fresh avocado, and have a glass of red wine to top it off. Enjoy being good to you, and good to your heart. ## Love Life can get busy. Health concerns, stress, and all our other adult responsibilities aren’t just hard on our heart, they are hard on our relationships as well. We gave you an excuse to take a bath earlier, now we are giving you an excuse to slow things down, and make time for you and your partner. Studies suggest that regular intimacy is good for your heart health, so plan that upcoming date night, and enjoy the company. We hope you found some inspiration with this list of heart-healthy ways to enjoy your life, and hope you can share it with your friends and loved ones too! Are you looking for more heart-friendly tips and tricks for every stage of life? [Check out the rest of our blog!](https://blog.hearthugger.com) - Please Share: [Heart Health](https://blog.hearthugger.com/topic/heart-health) ![Heart Hugger](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heart_Hugger_April2018%20Theme/Images/logo-icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=logo-icon.png) #### Written by [Heart Hugger](https://blog.hearthugger.com/author/heart-hugger) ### Please Leave a Comment: - Recent - Popular - Tags - [Heart Surgery Recovery (22)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/heart-surgery-recovery) - [After Heart Surgery (16)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/after-heart-surgery) - [Postoperative Care (15)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/postoperative-care) - [Heart Health (12)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/heart-health) - [Sternum Stabilization (9)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/sternum-stabilization) - [Caring for Patients (8)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/caring-for-patients) - [cardiac rehab (7)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/cardiac-rehab) - [Sternal Dehiscence (6)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/sternal-dehiscence) - [Preparing for Heart Surgery (5)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/preparing-for-heart-surgery) - [Respiratory Splinting (4)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/respiratory-splinting) - [Postoperative Bra (3)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/postoperative-bra) - [sternotomy (3)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/sternotomy) - [Heart Healthy Diet (2)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/heart-healthy-diet) - [Managing Pain After Heart Surgery (2)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/managing-pain-after-heart-surgery) - [Support Device (2)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/support-device) - [Hospital Safety (1)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/hospital-safety) - [Patient Safety (1)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/patient-safety) see all ©2018  General Cardiac Technology, Inc. 6489 Camden Ave Suite 106 San Jose CA 95120 800.798.2667 Phone 408.395.2100 (outside the U.S) Fax: 408.395.2113 powered by Tribute Media [a web marketing agency](https://www.tributemedia.com) | [login](https://www.hearthugger.com/user) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/hearthugger) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Heart_Hugger) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/heart-hugger) [Top](https://blog.hearthugger.com/new-ways-to-improve-your-heart-health#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Heart Hugger" }, "datePublished" : "2021-03-26T19:26:08+0000 ", "description" : "Yes, you should eat right and exercise daily, but did you know there are some fun not-so-common ways to improve your heart health? 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