Keeping your heart healthy

About the size of a fist, a healthy human heart relies on oxygen and nutrients to continually beat and pump blood through our circulatory system, which is constructed out of a network of blood vessels, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Our heart is vital to our health and if it is not functioning properly, blood cannot circulate efficiently within our body and we will get sick, or may even die. This is a big problem, yet most people never really think about it, until a loved one has a heart attack, a close friend needs bypass surgery, or we ourselves are diagnosed with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or any other type of heart malfunction.

Being confronted by life threatening heart problems is a shocking eye-opener and will often become one the strongest motivators to increase cardiovascular care. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than to cure!” Although it is impossible to completely prevent any kind of disease, one can greatly reduce the risk of heart related problems with just a few simple lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress levels, giving up smoking and controlling weight.

Limiting fat intake and eating more nutritional low-fat, low-cholesterol foods is easy and can start by eating more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grain daily. Avoiding high-fat dairy products, fried foods, candy and pastries may be tough, but in the end, a nutritious, well-balanced and antioxidant rich diet will increase your life expectancy and boost your energy levels. Add a fixed exercise routine and in no time your heart function will improve, as well as your cholesterol and blood pressure readings. By eating right and engaging in physical activity regularly you will also avoid having your body turn too much saturated fat into cholesterol. The higher cholesterol levels are, the more likely it is that substance will build up and stick to artery walls.

Monitor your cholesterol and blood pressure frequently as high levels can be dangerous to your heart. High blood pressure, also called hypertension is a serious illness affecting people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. High blood pressure is dangerous, because it makes the heart work harder and hardens artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. If hypertension persists, medical attention will be required.

Diabetes is associated with many risk factors including obesity, increased blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure – elements which can also badly influence our cardiovascular system. High blood sugar is also associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease, which puts diabetics at a higher risk, than non-diabetics. Therefore, if you are a diabetic, it is imperative for you to maintain a well-balanced health management plan. Also, visit your doctor regularly.

Unless born with a defect, heart disease is something that usually develops over time. Many people think they should not be worried about their heart until they are older, a hypothesis that has been proven wrong many times over. Actually, it is never too early to start taking care of your heart or, for that matter, your health in general!