For those of you contemplating whether or not to roll out of bed for that morning jog or whether you’re too tired after to work to hit your spin class, this one is for you. A group of two new studies, one out of Australia and the other France, found that exercise in people over the age of 30 is the most important factor in heart disease prevention.

A sedentary lifestyle is the single most important contributing factor to heart disease between age 30 and 90. Getting enough exercise was more important than keeping your weight in check, high blood pressure, and not smoking.

One study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, looked at the risk factors of more than 32,000 women in Australia. For women younger than 30, smoking was the most important risk factor, but for women over 30, it was exercise. In all, the study found that 2,000 women could be saved every year just by getting the recommended weekly allowance of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, as reported on New York Daily News. Exercise is the key to heart disease prevention.

Another French study found that men between the ages of 55 and 70 greatly benefited from exercise later in life. In fact, the study found no difference in men who started later in life versus men who started earlier.

“[I]t’s never too late to change your way of life and get more physically active,” said lead author David Matelot, reported on New York Daily News.

According to the CDC, if your exercise is more vigorous, you only need 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) every week. It’s well worth the sacrificed sweat in heart disease prevention, especially as you age.

Related on EcoSalon

Vegetarians in Australia Get Cheaper Life Insurance

5 Ways to Boost Your Heart Health

20 Ways to Boost Circulation

Image: Jim Pennucci

The post Hey, Couch Potato! Exercise is the Best Heart Disease Prevention Tool appeared first on EcoSalon.

Did you know that the human heart and planet earth are more alike than different? Both are extremely fragile, constantly ticking to produce miracles and sustain life, and both are put at high risk for demise if not cared for properly. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for American women, but the good news is, there are many ways to improve heart health that are under your control. Even better news for eco-conscious health buffs… some of the tactics you can employ to boost your heart health will also help improve the earth!

1. Turn the Great Outdoors into Your Personal Trainer

This tip helps save your heart, the planet, and your wallet. “Heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active.” Skip the pricey gym membership and proceed to the great outdoors for your workout. The heart is a muscle that needs exercise, and optimum cardiovascular health is dependent upon activity and your heart’s ability to thrive and perform. Walking and bicycling are two great ways to keep your ticker in its prime and these modes of transport can do double duty by getting you to and from work and help you run errands while saving the fuel and the fumes of a car commute.

2. Unplug and Chill Out

We may be drowning in the digital age, but our hearts aren’t interested in electronic trends, or the copious amounts of stress and anxiety that go hand and hand with always being plugged in. When you unplug your computer, PDA, and cell phone, even for a short amount of time, you give yourself permission to breathe deeply, relax and unwind – all healthy breaks for a heart that is always working. You’ll also help conserve electricity by shutting down your digital connections!

3. Buy and Eat Organic Foods

In addition to being pesticide-free and less damaging to the earth’s air, water and land, organic fruits and vegetables are also higher in antioxidants than their chemically grown counterparts. Antioxidants play a vital role in neutralizing destructive free radicals, and diets rich in antioxidant foods have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Organic blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries are some of the highest antioxidant containing fruits, and organic kale, spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli, garlic and red bell pepper are some vegetables containing high levels of antioxidants.

4. Switch to a Vegan Diet

High cholesterol and heart health don’t mix. Consider, even temporarily, switching to a vegan diet to cut back on consuming red meat, animal products and saturated fat, which are all cholesterol contributors. Greenies have brought ethical eating to the mainstream, and if you’re trying to reduce your cholesterol, why not do the earth a favor at the same time by helping reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from the “burning of fossil fuels during food production and non-carbon dioxide emissions associated with livestock and animal waste?”

5. Make Meals from Scratch

You’ve probably already kicked fast food to the curb, but are you still reaching for frozen meals, canned soups and pre-packaged foods that are high in sodium? High-sodium diets are linked to an increase in blood pressure and a higher risk for heart disease and stroke.” Shop the bulk section and make your own beans and soups to avoid the high sodium inherent in the canned varieties, as well as the BPA in the lining of the cans. Making homemade food from scratch also helps drastically cut back on wasteful, superfluous packaging.

Image: eyalz67

The post 5 Ways to Help Your Heart Health and Give the Earth a Boost, Too appeared first on EcoSalon.