Feb 10, 2014 / Cardiology / Health Advice No CommentsThese lifestyle changes can make a difference and lead to a healthier heart:Quit smoking as soon as possibleGet a yearly flu shotAlways track medications, dosage, and side effectsEat a balanced diet and limit your salt intakeAsk your doctor about exercising and maintaining daily activityAvoid or limit alcohol consumptionTalk to your doctor first before taking over-the-counter medicinesHow to control your sodium intake:Read labels to check the sodium content of foods. Remember that many soups, frozen dinners and condiments are very high in sodium.Don’t add salt to food! It’s best to remove the saltshaker from your table.Flavor your food with spices, herbs and other seasonings instead of salt.Eat fresh and frozen vegetables instead of canned vegetables, which are very high in sodium.Avoid canned or processed meats which are high in sodium, eat fresh fish, poultry and meat instead.Snack on fresh vegetables instead of salty foods like crackers, pretzels, popcorn or chips.Share this article Share this on Facebook (opens in new window) Share this on Twitter (opens in new window) Share this via Email (opens in new window) Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post. Post a comment Click here to cancel reply. Some HTML is OK Name (required) Email (required, but never shared) Δ