Pointers to Prevent Heart Disease

HEART is the hollow muscular organ located behind the sternum and between the lungs. It is a specialize muscle that contracts regularly and continuously, pumping blood to the body and the lungs. The heart has four chambers, two at the top (the Atria) and two at the bottom (the Ventricles).  It is one of the vital organs of our body; it should be keep healthy to avoid heart disease. Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death of humankind but luckily there are ways to significantly lower our chances of acquiring the said deadly disease.

Here are some important pointers to help you protect your heart and prevent heart disease by adopting a Heart-Healthy-Lifestyle:

·         Heart Healthy Diet – Observe a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat (a fat most often of animal origin that have chemical makeup in which the carbon atoms are saturated with hydrogen atoms, it is typically solid at room temperature, an excess of these fats in the diet could raise the cholesterol level in the bloodstream) , and high in lean protein (some good sources are fish, poultry, beef, eggs, low-fat dairy, beans, peas, and lentils), fruits and vegetables, healthy oils(Omega 3 fatty acids that can be found in fish oil, for this can significantly decrease bad cholesterol and as well as raise good cholesterol. Virgin olive oil, proven cholesterol level reducer), and whole unprocessed grains. Restrain refined sugar intake from cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy, etc.

·         Regular Exercise – Even half an hour minimum of daily exercise can protect your heart. Aerobics activities such as walking, running, dancing, and swimming work the heart and help keep it robust.

·         Lead a Healthy Lifestyle – Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke. Never drink or limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. Try to reduce stress and anxiety. Be good to your heart by maintaining the proper weight for your age and body type.

·         Watch your Cholesterol – Make sure you get tested for increased Cholesterol. Smoking lowers good cholesterol (HDL) while raising the level of bad Cholesterol (LDL). Other factors that influence Cholesterol are genetics and eating a diet rich in saturated fats and Trans fats. If your cholesterol is high, there are steps you can take to control it.

·         Maintain Normal Blood Pressure – While getting your cholesterol checked, have your blood pressure checked also. Maintaining blood pressure that is within normal range reduces the risk of Heart Disease attack, stroke, and heart failure.

I hope these would help you in taking care of your heart to prevent heart disease, proper diet, regular exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, and PRAY every day for a Better Health!

See you in my next post, God bless!