subject: Simple Heart Care Tips [print this page] In the recording industry, a lot of songs talk about broken hearts. But in the field of medicine, having a wounded heart isn't only tragic: it can be fatal.
Instead of discussing about love stories that we already know where it will end, this write up will talk about tuning up your heart to be healthy. Here are some basic tips you can sing your heart out.
Movement- Long periods of inactivity can hamper blood flow to some parts of the body and cause the heart to struggle. So if you've been sitting in front of the TV or the computer for more than 2 hours now, you might want to consider standing up and doing a bit of stretching and probably walking just to make sure blood traffic's smooth.
My Big Love: Like the popular TV series, don't allow yourself to love food too much but don't deprive it either. Stay healthy by eating fruits and vegetables and cutting down on junks and fats. Cholesterol is the major enemy of the heart for it clogs the arteries which prevent the blood from pumping freely.
Watch the scales - Try to slim down the body fat and maintain a healthy weight.. Consult your doctor or dietician if you are obese and find it difficult to shed the excess fat or trim down weight. Obesity and cardiovascular disease often come hand-in-hand, as excess weight places an extra burden on the heart. Think of it as an engine designed for a compact car. When the car turns into a truck, it will obviously get strained with every mile. Weighing more than 30 percent over your ideal weight can double your risk for developing heart disease.
Exercise regularly - Medical and fitness experts recommend at least a 40-minute session, three to four times a week. Start slowly if you are not used to exercising, then increase the tempo as your fitness improves. If you have any serious medical problems, or obese, you should consult a doctor first. try not to rush into a heavy exercise schedule, as this may just lead to complications.
Routine checkups - If needed, have your blood pressure checked regularly. If medication is needed to control high blood pressure, make sure you take the medication and follow any other suggestions given to you by your physician. You should also have your blood sugar levels check if you suspect you may have diabetes or if your family has a history of diabetes. People with a diabetes history are more prone to getting heart disease, and high blood pressure can be a major problem.
Eternal Flame: I'm not going around the popular song by the Bangles but I'm talking about cigarettes and your heart. Based from the recent studies, smokes from tobacco or cigarettes get directly to the heart which causes major hearth illnesses. In addition, smokers are more prone to heart attack than non-smokers.
Reduce Stress: Recent studies suggest a relationship between the risk of cardiovascular disease and environmental and psychosocial factors. Among these factors are job strain, relationship issues and social isolation. In addition, acute and chronic stress may lead to a domino effect, affecting factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, physical inactivity and overeating. Try to consciously observe when you are getting stressed and take steps to relax yourself.
Heart to heart talk: Just like the petty or big problems that we deal with our loved ones, those little pain that you feel in your chest should be diagnosed immediately. Moreover, issues like dyspnea (difficulty of breathing), anxiety, nausea, severe chest pain, elevated temperature, paleness, arrhythmias (irregularities in heart beats), and diaphoresis (profuse sweating) need professional analysis so consult your doctors immediately.
No, we don't have wooden hearts and you can't mend a broken heart in real life. So make sure yours is always healthy.
