{"id":15870,"date":"2022-04-03T20:28:48","date_gmt":"2022-04-03T20:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ovadiahearthealth.com\/old-site\/?p=15870"},"modified":"2022-04-10T21:20:32","modified_gmt":"2022-04-10T21:20:32","slug":"talking-to-your-loved-ones-about-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ovadiahearthealth.com\/old-site\/2022\/04\/03\/talking-to-your-loved-ones-about-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Talking to your loved ones about heart health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you are concerned for a family member, a close friend, an adult child, or a spouse, it\u2019s never easy to bring up health issues in conversation. This can be even more complicated for matters of heart health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Health disease is the leading cause of death for adult men and women in the United States. If you notice the signs and symptoms of poor heart health in the ones you love, refusing to say something now could have serious repercussions in the future. And because it can take many years for illness to finally manifest, you may also have concerns about someone\u2019s lifestyle before they have symptoms of heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although you\u2019re not responsible for the health and wellness of others, you owe it to those around you to speak the truth in love.<\/span><\/p>\n

This, of course, is easier said than done.<\/span> More than 12%<\/span><\/a> of people are uncomfortable having candid conversations about their health, whether it happens to be with a family member or not. And it\u2019s not hard to see why: sensitive<\/span> health subjects rarely start in bad faith, but often end in tension or damaged relationships when managed poorly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet facilitating a heart health conversation is critical – both for the outcome of your conversation and the impact it creates. So how should the discussion begin?<\/span><\/p>\n

The key to open and honest conversations about heart health always begins with tact. By airing your concerns rather than letting them lie, you will be helping close family and friends<\/span> prevent heart disease<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Simple ways to talk about heart health with your loved ones<\/h2>\n

Let’s examine some graceful ways to bring up heart health in conversation:<\/span><\/p>\n

Begin with care<\/b><\/p>\n

Discussions about heart health should never feel like police interrogations. Without proper tact, conversations that were started with the best of intentions can lead to arguments and hurt feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s always best to begin your conversation with a word of compassion. Explain how and why you feel the need to speak to loved ones about their heart health, including how much you\u2019re concerned for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

If possible, have your heart health conversation in a private location. The last thing you want is for the person you\u2019re talking to to feel exposed, vulnerable, or attacked, which can be more likely in a group setting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heart troubles don\u2019t always appear in a vacuum. The link between the body and mind are increasingly well documented, with<\/span> mental health and heart health<\/span><\/a> clearly linked. When having a conversation about physical heart health, be sure to ask caring questions regarding their current headspace.<\/span><\/p>\n

The more your family member,<\/span> coworker<\/span><\/a>, or friend recognizes your good intentions, the more receptive they\u2019re likely to be to a legitimate conversation about how to improve cardiovascular health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Provide physical support<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not enough to provide goodwill and kind intentions. If you\u2019re serious about helping a loved one make lasting changes to their health and lifestyle, you\u2019ll need to offer support in physical ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask what you can do to tangibly support their journey toward heart health. Preparing<\/span> heart healthy meals<\/span><\/a> together is an excellent place to begin, as well as being present during doctor’s appointments or virtual consultations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offer to help your loved one create a healthier space for themselves and their lifestyle choices. Depending on your relationship, you may want to explore exercise programs, health coaching, or consultations with a dietitian or nutritionist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the best support you can offer includes:<\/span><\/p>\n