Did you know that a healthy sex life could help you have a healthy heart, too?

Sex can be good for overall health. Sex will not only boost your libido but can boost your immune system, too. Sex is a natural pain reliever and can improve sleep. Studies have also found that sex can lower blood pressure and reduce stress – both of which can improve your heart health.

Sex can be a fun form of exercise, too. No, this doesn’t mean that if you have a healthy sex life you never have to go to the gym again. But sex uses about five calories a minute, which is more than you’ll burn sitting on the sofa watching Netflix.

Furthermore, a study published in American Journal of Cardiology found that men who had sex once a month or less had a 45 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease than men who reported engaging in sexual activity twice a week or more.

Thanks to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, February is the time of year when many women start to think a bit more about their cardiovascular health. But your heart health should be a priority all year.

When it comes to women and heart disease the numbers are sobering. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year and taking more lives than all cancers combined. Yet, only about 55 percent of women know that heart disease is their No. 1 killer and this number is even lower in minorities and younger women.

Now that you know the risk, it’s time to take better care of your heart. In addition to a healthy sex life, here are other things you can do to improve your cardiovascular health.

7 Steps to Better Heart Health

1. Reduce your blood sugar. Sugar Support, a dietary supplement offered by our Ageless Balance line, is a high-potency formula of berberine, biotin, chromium, and other minerals that’s designed to support normal blood sugar levels and healthy cholesterol levels.
2. Control your cholesterol. For better cholesterol, reduce your consumption of saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products. Instead, opt for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, mackerel, herring, walnuts and flaxseeds. Add more soluble fiber to your diet, too, by eating foods like oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.
3. Manage your blood pressure. Losing weight, exercising regularly, reducing your stress, eating a healthy diet, and limiting alcohol, sodium and caffeine can all help lower your blood pressure.
4. Eat better. The American Heart Association recommends a diet of fruits and vegetables, fish, fiber-rich whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
5. Lose weight. If you’re eating right and exercising regularly and still having trouble losing weight, call Dr. Mia today to schedule a consultation.
6. Get active. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week and doing strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week.
7. Quit smoking – or don’t start! According to the Mayo Clinic, within a year of quitting, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.

Whether you need help losing weight or with improving your sexual function, MiBella Wellness is here for you. Call Dr. Mia today to schedule your appointment.