What can I do to keep my heart and blood vessels healthy?

Photo of two women in the vegetable section of a supermarket

There are several ways to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. The main ones are exercise, eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight. Giving up smoking is also very good for your heart and blood vessels.

There are lots of things people who have high cholesterol or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease can do to keep their heart healthy.

Recommended options include:

  • Not smoking
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Getting enough exercise
  • Maintaining a healthy weight

For people who have a significantly increased risk, it can also make sense to take medication. But many people who only have certain risk factors (slightly higher than normal cholesterol, for instance) prefer to take action themselves to protect their heart and vessels.

What foods and drinks make a difference?

What role do different types of fat play?

Which food products are high in saturated fatty acids and what alternatives are there?

Why are people often recommended to follow a "Mediterranean diet"?

Why is exercise beneficial?

How much exercise is recommended?

What role does body weight play?

Why is it helpful to give up smoking?

Are dietary supplements a good way of decreasing cholesterol?

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Updated on February 8, 2022

Next planned update: 2025

Publisher:

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG, Germany)

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