Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, but with bad habits, your heart could be suffering - sometimes without any notice. You could have a heart attack or even a stroke and not even know that your heart has been damaged or that you are experiencing issues. To help give you a healthier heart there are things you can do. Read on for tips to improve the health of your heart.

Stop Smoking

Smoking can shrink your blood vessels and clog with plaque in your blood vessels, which could cause an issue with blood flow to your heart. If this happens, your chances of a stroke or heart attack increase. Smoking can cause a number of other health issues for you as well, and may lead to death. If you are a smoker, it's time to put out your last cigarette. This can be a hard task, especially if you've been a smoker for quite some time. Talk to your physician about ways to quit smoking or about using medication to help you quit smoking.

Start An Exercise Routine

If you are more of a couch sitter, it may be time to ditch the couch for awhile and go for a walk instead. Get up and get moving. A sedentary lifestyle can eventually cause you all types of health issues. Even just a daily walk around the block can improve your heart health and your overall health as well. Always talk to your physician first before starting any type of exercise routine.

Switch Up Your Diet

Change your diet to include heart healthy foods such as healthy fats and foods that contain lower cholesterol. Foods such as almonds, dark chocolate, avocados, Greek yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables, and fish should all be included in your diet. Swap out unhealthy foods for healthier options instead and making healthier choices can all improve your health. 

Up Your Water Intake

Up your water intake daily to at least 8 - 10 glasses of water per day. If you drink more soda or juices (or other types of drinks) more-so than water, then it's time to up your water intake. Start swapping out these other drinks for water instead. Add fresh fruit to your water to change the taste if plain water isn't for you. You can also try coconut water as well.

If you have unhealthy habits, it could be affecting your heart. Improve your heart health by making some changes in your life. If you are experiencing issues with your heart or notice changes in how you breath, or an increased inability to do the things you were once able to do, it's time to see a cardiologist for an exam or for a stress test.Contact a clinic, like Alpert Zales & Castro Pediatric Cardiology, for more help.