According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 43.7 million Americans over 60 have one or more types of heart disease. Seniors ages 65 and up are more likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or coronary heart disease than younger people, the CDC says. You can reduce your risk for heart disease through a healthy and balanced lifestyle with exercise and diet. Here is a list of 8 heart-healthy foods that will help:

Green Tea

Did you know the antioxidants in green tea can help your arteries stay flexible longer? By drinking one daily cup of green tea, you might improve blood vessel function.

Dark Chocolate

With higher cocoa content and lower fat than milk chocolate, dark chocolates are healthier for you. Healthy amounts of resveratrol and cocoa phenols can lower blood pressure.

Berries

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are all high in antioxidants and fiber. They also provide a healthy amount of calcium, magnesium, and potassium making this delicious fruit a 'berry' great choice!

Spinach

Adding spinach to your diet is essential for maintaining healthy red blood cells. Spinach is also great for the heart, with beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, folate, and vitamins C and E.

Whole Grains

Heart-healthy foods can be combined in many ways for tasty recipes. Brown rice provides B-complex vitamins, fiber, and magnesium. While oats and oatmeal can help you manage cholesterol and provide protein and fiber.

Substitute Milk

If you are lactose intolerant, almond milk is rich in magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E. Soy milk is another excellent choice as it contains B-complex vitamins, calcium, folate, magnesium, and potassium.

Red Bell Peppers

A great quick snack, red bell peppers are full of carotenes, along with fiber, folate, potassium, and B-complex vitamins. Besides changing your diet, there are other ways you can keep your heart healthy, like being more physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, curbing stress, and managing your medical conditions. It’s been proven that lifestyle choices like these impact successful aging. By keeping our bodies moving, we can prevent falls, strengthen our hearts, lower our blood sugar, and strengthen our immune defenses. Paired with healthy meals is a definitive roadmap to successful aging. At Aviva, we’re committed to your health and holistic wellness with a wide range of services located directly on campus. Learn more on our Levels of Care page.