10 Things You Can Do For A Healthy Heart

For a Healthy Heart

Our heart is indeed a muscular wonder that plays an irreplaceable and invaluable role in our life and existence. Unfortunately, there has been a massive spurt in the increase of heart ailments amongst a large portion of our population. While previously cardiac ailments were common among the elderly people, it is worrying to see even the younger segment of the population falling prey to such ailments.

S.L Raheja (A Fortis Associate) is one of the top heart care hospitals in Mumbai that offers specialised care for all kinds of heart ailments. But, at the same time, t is very important for us to do what it takes to keep for a healthy heart.

Some simple changes that we can incorporate in our daily lives to improve our heart health are:

1. Eat healthy, stay healthy

This is the most elementary step for building a healthy heart. Eating the right quantity and quality of food which includes all the essential nutrients (yes, even fats!) in the right proportion is of utmost importance. Skip the visually appealing, processed foods containing trans fats and opt for a healthier diet rich in fruits, coarse grains, nuts and vegetables. Remember, go nuts and go fish! (pun intended)

2. Get Moving This is a no-brainer, really. Yet, despite the well-publicised benefits of regular exercise, it is often neglected. Gruelling lifestyle with a hectic work schedule is usually cited as a reason for giving exercise a go-by. But, devoting some amount of time for exercise every day can go a long way in keeping your heart young and healthy.

3. Dental Hygiene It may sound surprising at first, but good oral health reflects on the state of the heart. Studies have shown that gum disease and heart disease share common risk factors, as bacteria involved in the development of gum disease can enter the blood stream and cause inflammation of blood vessels, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack. So, make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day for a minty fresh breath and a healthy heart.

4. Get your beauty sleep Yes, you heard it right! Our body needs adequate rest in order to repair and rejuvenate itself, and sleep is one of the best ways to do it. About 7-8 hours of sleep on an average can help in optimal cardiac health.

5. Smoking kills! We are not referring only to active smokers; even those who do not actually smoke, but hang around those who do, are equally at risk, as they tend to inhale the second-hand smoke and hence become passive smokers. This can result in diseases like lung cancer and inflammation,which are welcome signs for a stroke.

6. Watch your weight Being overweight is as bad for your heart as it is for your appearance. Lunging around the extra fat, especially around the abdomen and limbs, can put your heart under enormous pressure, making it susceptible for heart attacks. So, its important to lose the extra kilos and do our heart a favor.

7. Manage your stress levels

The modern day hectic lifestyle has certainly not helped matters by contributing to a major extent to the incidences and increase in stress levels in a large segment of the population. Use techniques like yoga and exercise to lessen the stress on your heart.

8. One drink too many! While the occasional chugging down pint of alcohol may not have much of an effect, getting regularly tipsy and drunk can wear your heart, and your friends, down! Keep a strict check on the number of glasses you empty all the time, and your heart will thank you for it.

9. Control your salt intake Eating canned, packaged or processed foods frequently can make your blood pressure levels shoot up and dramatically increase your risk of heart diseases. Switch over to homemade meals which contain less amounts of sodium and, as a complementary measure, increase your intake of potassium-rich foods, such as bananas.

10. Emotional well-being and productivity Emotional well-being is just as important for the heart as the other measures which you may take. Following an occupation and indulging in a hobby which interests you and that you like doing can go a long way in enhancing your emotional health, and also increase your productivity.

In case of any complications, it is advisable to visit a state-of-the-art cardiac hospital such as S.L Raheja Hospital (A Fortis Associate) as an early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery.