Prioritize your heart health with the “MEDSSS” approach: mindfulness, exercise, diets, sleep, avoiding harmful substances, and socializing.

SAN ANTONIO — Heart disease is the number one cause of death globally and in the United States, it claims millions of lives each year. Taking control of your heart health immediately when problems arise can keep you from becoming one of those statistics.

When it comes to your cardiovascular health, making sure your body and mind are both in the same space is of the utmost importance.



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So how can you accomplish that? All you have to do is take your “MEDSSS.” We aren’t talking medication, but this acronym will aid you in your heart health journey. 

“Think about the version of yourself, who you were that you like to, who you want to be, and start to speak in a way that positively affirms that you’re going to hit that goal or hit that target,” said Dr. Travis Batts, the sports and prevention director with South Texas Cardiovascular Consultants at Methodist Texsan.

“The minimum is 150 minutes of vigorous activity a week. Some folks say 75, but 150 is the floor. Ideally, I want you to be as active as you can physically possibly be,” said Batts.

“We know diets like the Dash diet, the Mediterranean diet, a whole foods plant based vegan diet, all have protective effects in the setting of cardiovascular disease,” said Batts.

“We know that anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep reduces your long term cardiovascular risk, improves your overall your body’s overall ability to navigate stress, and increases your athletic or physical performance,” said Batts.

“Getting rid of risky substances, whether that’s tobacco, alcohol supplements that might not be as helpful as you think or excess in any capacity,” said Batts.

Last, but certainly not least, making sure you socialize with others in a similar situation. “It’s important to create an audience or a group of individuals that has a singular goal, a singular focus, and that is your total body health,” said Dr. Batts.