10 Heart Healthy Tips That Might Surprise You

• Snuggle.  Yes, you heard me.  Snuggling with your significant other can greatly reduce stress by releasing oxytocin, which helps to reduce blood pressure.

• Steer clear of traffic.  It has been shown in studies that for every 10 decibels of added roadway traffic noise, the risk of heart attack increases by 12 percent!

• Take a trip to the water cooler.  Sitting for the better part of the day can increase chances of heart disease, EVEN IF YOU EXERCISE AFTERWARDS.  So give yourself frequent closeup-traffic-signal-showing-redwater breaks throughout the day to break up that full day of sitting … and hey, get a little hydrated at the same time!

• It's not just beauty sleep!  I am talking about the perfect amount of hours you should sleep a night.  Too little sleep can put you at a 48 percent HIGHER RISK of developing heart disease, while sleeping too much gives you a 38 percent higher chance.  The ideal number is 7-8 hours.

• LAUGH!  Laughing actually causes your blood vessels to dilate by 22 percent, which increases blood flow and reduces your blood pressure.

• Grab a cup of Joe.  Coffee has been linked to LOWER RISKS of heart rhythm issues.  Decrease hospital visits for abnormal heart rhythms by 20 percent … just drink one to three cups of coffee a day.

• Sip Some Tea. The flavonoids in green, black and white teas improve blood vessel function and increase blood flow. Research in the Netherlands has shown that people who drink three to five cups of tea per day also cut their risk of heart disease and stroke by 44 percent.

• Get a Dog. People who have dogs have reported lower blood pressures, less stress, and weight loss benefits.  So if you are thinking of adopting a pup- you could be benefiting your heart!

• Get Married.  While this may make some of your hearts skip a beat, marriage has shown a positive connection to a healthy heart.  For women, 10 years of marriage has been correlated to a 13 percent decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Meditate. Studies by the Medical College of Wisconsin reveal that meditating for 30 minutes daily may lower your risk of heart attack by 50 percent. The study focused specifically on transcendental meditation, which involves sitting quietly and comfortably 15 to 20 minutes per day, and is easily learned, researchers say.

Since 25 percent of the American population is suffering from heart-related issues, it’s important to monitor your health and take precautions to avoid heart disease.  Some of the most common ways to prevent heart disease are eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, regular check ups by your doctor, and to avoid smoking.  However, there are clearly additional ways to prevent heart disease; from snuggling to playing with Fido and even steering clear of traffic, there are plenty of unusual ways to practice a healthy lifestyle.