Our #HeartHealthy & Happy Twitter Chat Recap

Miss yesterday’s Twitter Chat on ways to be heart healthy and happy? No problem! We’re sharing a recap below of some of the best insight from our guests and experts that you can use in your own life starting now!

Q1: What are the risk factors someone should look for if they want to stay heart healthy?

• “Keep your body weight at an optimal level. You can check a BMI chart online.” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “BMI, body fat percentage, blood pressure, cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter
• “Diet and family history” reader @mommaof4girlies

Q2: It’s never too late to reduce risk. Weight loss of just 3 percent can help. What are some simple ways to lose weight to be heart healthy?

• “Eat 5 servings or more of vegetables every day, eat 4-5 pieces of fruit, don’t add any fat to your foods.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter
• “Focusing on the broader of self care will typically lead to healthy weight loss and a healthy heart.” Green Mountain at Fox Run @GreenMtnFoxRun
• “Eat more plants and less animals. Think whole-food plant based.” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “Biking the 14+ miles of bike paths in Mission Bay is a great way to stay.” Paradise Point @ParadisePointSD
• “Swapping out a food or drink with a healthier version. I switched coffee to green tea.” reader @mommaof4girlies

Q3: Paleo, gluten-free, vegan… what type of diet is best for keeping our hearts healthy and happy and why?

• “The gold standard science is behind low fat whole food plant based.  Stops, reverses, and prevents disease.” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “All reliable science points to a plant based diet as the key to health and longevity.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter
• “In our experience diets only provide a detour not the short cut to healthier eating behavior due to deprivation psychology.” Green Mountain at Fox Run @GreenMtnFoxRun

Q4: Fat, sodium, sugar, carbs, alcohol… what are some of the foods we should avoid to get or stay heart healthy?

• “Added fats (especially saturated fats and cholesterol) [and] added sugars and alcohol. Avoid refined carbs but don’t be scared of whole grains.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter

Q5: On a more positive note, what are some foods we should stock up on to be heart healthy?

• “Fresh greens! They heal the blood vessels give us energy. Pop in a smoothie with frozen fruit or in a vegetable soup. Beans rock too!” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lots of leafy greens!” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter
• “Plenty of leafy, dark greens!” Docere Medical Spa and Laser Center @doceremedspa

Q6: Exercise is a huge part of being heart healthy. How often should we be working out and what types of exercises are most important?

• “Do something you enjoy! How often depends on current activity level. Key is to work with the body’s cues – not against.” Green Mountain at Fox Run @GreenMtnFoxRun
• “5-7 days/wk aerobic exercise; 2-3 days/wk resistance exercise; and minimum 3 days/wk flexibility exercise.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter

Q7: Emotional health is just as important for being heart healthy. What are some ways to cultivate happiness?

• “Create happiness for others. If you focus solely on yourself, you may be happy alone, but not in your relationships.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter
• “Connect with what you find meaningful, with what ignites a sense of passion, pleasure, and joy.” Green Mountain at Fox Run @GreenMtnFoxRun
• “Humans are social beings get out of the house serve others and make friends to have them you need to be one.” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “Emotional health and physical health are linked. Taking care of one takes care of the other, and vice versa!” Dr. Will Clower @willclower

Q8: Relationships help keep us heart healthy. They can improve our mood and keep us calm. How can we keep relationships with others healthy?

• “Learn to acknowledge and express your needs – having a voice in your relationships directly impacts self esteem.” Green Mountain at Fox Run @GreenMtnFoxRun
• “Long-term bonded people live longer, have better health, and even accumulate more wealth! Another secret: A hug of more than 20 seconds increases oxytocin and feelings of well being.” America’s Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh @DrWendyWalsh
• “Emotional maturity is key. Remember we’re part of a bigger picture.  It’s not about us. Be kind and be true to yourself.” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “Don’t bring the past into the present. Deal with the moment, and only the moment, to enhance communication.” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter

Q9: Valentine’s Day can be an unlikely cause of stress and unhappiness. How can we reduce these stressors to stay heart healthy and happy?

• “Ask your partner to help create the perfect Valentine’s Day for the two of you. Surprises are overrated, and can backfire!” Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa @PritkinCenter
• Go for a massage! “One of the reasons massage is so healthful is that touch stimulates a fabulous feel-good dopamine response.” America’s Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh @DrWendyWalsh

Q10: Communication is key for physical and emotional health. How can you cultivate clear communication to keep your heart healthy and happy?

• “A simple thing like asking, ‘Do you mind if I share something with you?'” Dr. Lana Kontos @lanakontos
• “Expressing thoughts/needs in a way that invites dialogue – so responding with ‘I feel’ statements, instead of reacting.” Green Mountain at Fox Run @GreenMtnFoxRun