Heart is essential to our survival, still we easily take this
most important organ for granted. Every second of the day, our heart is
constantly at work pumping blood throughout our body. It is important that we
keep it in good shape for our ticker to function well. You are at an increased
risk for heart disease if you don’t keep your heart in a good state. Heart
disease includes conditions like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and
abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Many of these issues arise due to plaque
accumulation (fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances) in your
arteries, which makes it harder for blood to get to your ticker, and in some
cases, it can completely block blood flow, which eventually can lead to a heart
attack or stroke.
Cardiovascular disease affects more than 1 in 3 adults in the
United States, and it also increases the risk for cardiac emergencies like a
sudden cardiac arrest. The good news is that some simple, day-to-day habits can
make a big difference in your ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Risk factors
for heart disease range from age or family history that you can’t change to
others factors that are in your control like high cholesterol, high blood
pressure, smoking which can be managed by following the basic disciplines of
daily routine and seasonal cycles.
The hour of crisis (rising number of heart disease cases in
USA) has made us rethink and value our heart health far more than before.
Here’s a list of some habits, avoiding which and committing to a heart-healthy
lifestyle can help you lower your risk of heart disease:
Smoking- Smoking is
one of the three major risk factors for heart disease that causes almost
one-third of deaths. The chemicals (carbon monoxide) that go inside your body
every time you inhale a cigarette are harmful to your health. Aside from that,
smoking also increases the amount of cholesterol in your arteries (another
major risk factor). The most effective way to reduce your risk is to quit
completely, which may be challenging but far better than having to live with
heart disease or to recover from a heart attack.
No form of
activity- There are so many reasons why we aren’t as active as we
should be, ranging from lack of time to trouble finding an activity that we can
enjoy. Regular physical activity is key to maintaining heart health-just 150
minutes per week — which is only about 20 minutes a day — of moderate-intensity
physical activity- is enough for you to achieve your goals. Exercise can also
make your heart muscle stronger so it pumps more effectively. There are so many
simple ways you can stay active, including walking short distances rather than
driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, joining a gym, playing a
team sport, going on a long walk with your pet or partner or friend, etc. It is
very easy to incorporate these activities in your daily routine.
Stress- It’s easy
to become stressed these days, which unfortunately, can put you at a higher risk
for heart disease by raising your blood pressure. It is extremely important to
maintain your calm and practise mindfulness. Each day, do your bit towards
achieving a better you and we all shall overcome the tough times. Some ways you
can manage stress include exercising, listening to music, practicing meditation
or yoga, enjoying some alone time, etc.
Enjoying
alcohol in excess- Occasional indulgence is okay, but over-drinking can
be dangerous for your heart. The calories in your alcohol adds up which can
make you gain weight, contributing to obesity — another risk factor for
cardiovascular disease.
Although there are doctors that can help you maintain your
heart health with regular checkups, but your heart health begins at home, where
you make choices every day that impact your ticker.
To
sign up for the lifesaving CPR classes at the AHA certified CPR Memphis in Tennessee, call us on 901-438-4200.
Comments
Post a Comment