Our health expert weighs in on how to improve your heart health quickly, from adding nuts to your diet to keeping a cat to cycling.

1. Eat nuts and say yes to vitamin K

Just a handful of nuts a day can reduce your risk of cardiovascular(心血管的) disease. In fact, research suggests that they help your heart in a number of ways, including lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and the risk of blood clots. So, ditch junk food and reach for the unsalted nuts instead. But beware, they’re high in calories! Besides, vitamin K, in particular vitamin K2, is good for the arteries(动脉) and has been shown to reduce deaths from coronary heart disease(冠心病), yet many of us are deficient in it. Vitamin K has been shown to reduce deaths from coronary heart disease. Food high in vitamin K is also recommended.

2. Keep a cat

A study of more than 4,000 people based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study found that those who’d never owned a cat were 40 percent more likely to die of a heart attack and 30 percent more likely to die from any cardiovascular event, such as stroke or heart failure. Those who’d never owned a cat were 40 percent more likely to die of a heart attack. It’s probable that stroking cats lowers levels of anxiety and stress, which can have a protective effect against heart disease.

3. Move differently

We all know that exercise is good for heart health, but you don’t have to go to the gym. Making regular non-exercise physical activity a priority can boost cardiovascular health. Whether it’s walking meetings, a few minutes on your balance board when you’re on the phone, or cleaning the house, it all adds up. Getting around on your bike can also be a great way to move differently. Cycling to the shops or across town to see a friend, or riding a stationary bike at home will improve fitness.

Eating healthy food, keeping a good mood and being physically active are all good for your heart. Let’s try at once!

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1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “ditch”?（词义猜测）

A    Pay back.

B    Cheer on.

C    Look for.

D    Give up.