TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART - it's deserve

Let’s honor it by becoming more aware of the risk factors and prevention of heart disease, because you deserve to live long!

Did you know that heart disease is the biggest killer? It is also a fact that most people neglect their heart health. Do you take care of your heart as you should?

Believe it or not – a healthy heart is one of the keys to happiness in your life. That’s right, if your heart is in a good shape, you’re not only likely to live long, but also love more and appreciate all the good things in life.

hat’s right, if your heart is in a good shape, you’re not only likely to live long, but also love more and appreciate all the good things in life.

Many people are ignorant and they do not know how their actions affect their heart.

They indulge in substance abuse like smoking and heavy drinking. They live a sedentary lifestyle that mostly involves sitting or lack of physical exercise and movement.

That is why sometimes sitting is considered equivalent to smoking.

Did you know that your heart does the maximum physical work of any muscle during a lifetime, beginning from just after a month of conception?

Your heart also beats about 100,000 times in one day and pumps around 1 million barrels of blood during an average lifetime.

Don’t you think this hard working organ of your body needs more attention and care?

Trust me; you would not want to suffer from a cardiovascular disease at this age! I know I wouldn’t

Sad to say, but about one American dies every 40 seconds from cardiovascular disease. This is not only alarming, but also shocking.

If you already knew this fact and aren’t still doing anything to improve your heart health, then it is surely devastating.

So, before it’s too late, let’s identify the risks and learn how to have a healthy heart.

Major Risk Factors For Getting Heart Disease

Image Source – Heart.Org

These are risk factors along with the preventive options:

1. High blood cholesterol – Eat right by having a balanced and healthy diet. Your fasting blood glucose should preferably be less than 100 mg/dL.
2. High blood pressure – Manage blood pressure through exercise and medications. Keep the numbers below 120/80 mm Hg.
3. Physical inactivity – Get moving and stand more. Spend 150 minutes of moderate intensive activity per week, like brisk walking. And opt for 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity.
4. Obesity and overweight – Lose weight to find your healthy weight. Target a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 25.
5. Smoking – Stop smoking altogether, quit it. Your alcohol intake should be within limits too.
6. Diabetes – Reduce blood sugar by being conscious and careful of your food and beverages intake.

You will be surprised to know that lowering the risk of heart disease also reduces the chances of getting cancer!

One good thing that comes out of this infographic is that about 27% people live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

All this information would help only if you take some positive steps towards taking care of your heart.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY HEART 

• Food
• Eat whole grains instead of white grain.
• Eat seafood in place of some red meat and poultry.
• To replace solid fats use olive oil in cooking.
• Use fat free dairy products.
• Lessen sodium intake, People age 50 and older with High Blood Pressure should continue their intake to 2,000 milligram per day.
• Monitor the quantity of food intake. Avoid unhealthy food habits and reduce the intake of processed foods and foods high in sugar. It is a misconception that healthy eating means giving up ‘all the good things’ and eating an oil-free diet. You should include oil in your diet, but make sure it’s in limited quantity. Fruits and vegetables should form the major part of your diet. If you are non-vegetarian, reduce your intake of red meat (once in 2-3 weeks), but lean chicken and fish are safe to consume regularly.

Super Foods

Your body needs a maximum of 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp of oil everyday, which can come in the form of oil or even pure ghee. Colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, sprouts, walnuts (or other nuts or dry fruits not more than 15 to 20 gm a day), avocado, oil seeds such as flax seed are good for one’s heart. Those who have milk with their grains such as oats should skip buffalo milk which is fatty and consume cow’s milk or skimmed milk instead.

Exercise

• Walk for 30 minutes at least for a five days a week.
• Start out slowly. If you’re not used to excising, began with 10 minutes and gradually work your way up to 30 minutes sessions.
• Try breaking your workout regime into shorter sessions.
• Strengthen major muscle groups in your arms, legs, back, chest, abdomen, hips and shoulders by lifting to moderate weights.
• Practice yoga and meditation.

Some More Useful Tips

Routine checks are a must. Every adult should know their numbers, and regularly check them; this can be done by a simple blood test and a blood pressure check.

If you consume tobacco, you need to quit. Ask your doctor about new smoking-cessation programmes and medications. Ban smoking at home and work, too. Standing for an hour in a smoking zone has the same effect as smoking two or three cigarettes.

Ensure that you enjoy an undisturbed sleep for minimum eight hours. Avoid caffeine and excessive use of electronic devices just before bedtime.