In this episode of Health & Hip Hop, Hot 97.9’s very own Shani Sweets sits down with Dr. DeAnna Harris, medical doctor at Advance Community Health, to explore how lifestyle choices can help protect your heart. From what’s on your plate to how you manage stress and sleep, Dr. Harris shares practical tips for living a heart-healthy life and taking charge of your overall well-being.
“While the risk of cardiovascular disease can be hereditary, a lot of it has to do with what you are consuming,” said Dr. Harris. “A heart-healthy diet means focusing on whole foods. You’ll want to avoid or limit processed food, especially those high in trans fats, refined carbs, sugars, and sodium.”
Key Factors to a Healthy Heart
Dr. Harris emphasizes that small, consistent changes in diet can make a big difference. She encourages patients to work with a nutritionist to better understand their daily intake needs.
“Meeting with a nutritionist can really help break down how much of these foods you should be having each day,” she explained.
Beyond diet, Dr. Harris touched on another key factor often overlooked in heart health, alcohol consumption.
“Whether it’s chronic drinking or binge drinking, both have been shown to increase cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure,” said Dr. Harris. “While there are some notions that certain types or amounts of alcohol may be good for you, there are no current guidelines supporting alcohol consumption for heart disease prevention.”
Building a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
The conversation also highlighted how exercise, sleep, and stress management play critical roles in maintaining heart health. Dr. Harris encourages everyone to start where they are, small steps like adding more movement to your day, reducing processed foods, and prioritizing rest can all lead to lasting results.
Support at Advance Comunity Health
At Advance Community Health, we are dedicated to helping patients make informed choices and achieve a balanced, heart-healthy lifestyle. We offer multiple services to meet you where you are. Our patients are the center of all that we do!
Full Interview
You can watch the full interview below or go to Advance Community Health’s YouTube Channel! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!
Stay tuned for upcoming Health & Hip Hop interviews.
