Amid this Corona pandemic when the whole world is fighting against the virus, it is more important than ever to take care of our hearts and keep it healthy.
According to the World Heart Federation reports, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death on the planet and the causes range from 'smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, to air pollution, and rare and neglected conditions such as Chagas Disease and Cardiac amyloidosis'.
Moreover, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) take the lives of 17.9 million people every year, 31% of all global deaths. Triggering these diseases – which manifest primarily as heart attacks and strokes – are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. These in turn show up in people as raised blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and overweight and obesity, risks detrimental to good heart health, says WHO reports.
This year, on World Heart Day, the federation aims to spread awareness about taking care of our hearts and to 'use heart to beat cardiovascular disease'. Moreover, heart is one of the most important organ of our body which makes us alive.
How to keep our Heart Healthy?
Tips for healthy hearts
Practising Healthy Eating Habits
Our eating habits decides our overall health.
Our lifestyle and consumption of foods are the main reason behind our all heart problems.
You can include locally-grown vegetables, whole grains, protein-rich food items such as chicken, eggs, meat, lentils to choosing healthy oils and including milk and milk-products in your diet, make sure to include at least four items out of the five groups mentioned in your meals.
Stress management:
Amid this pandemic period, everyone is dealing with stress and it's really hard to get away from this. Moreover, it invites lots of problems along with heart problems. Do meditation and yoga and calm your mind whenever you feel like depression and need help.
Ensure physical activity
Amid this pandemic and lockdown, people are becoming really lazy.
Exercising for at least 45 minutes in a day or taking every opportunity to walk around at home when working from home, going for a walk and ensuring 10,000 steps a daily to engaging in micro-workouts can minimise any type of heart disease.
Ensure 7-8 Hour sleep
Our sleep circle and duration can predict our overall health.
Lack of sleep increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. With work from home being the new normal these days, you might be taking afternoon naps and staying awake till late in the night, however that isn't going to help since the circadian oscillator in our oe. With increasing age, this becomes even more important.
Ensure Regular Screening
Do regular screening to ensure overall wellness of the heart is done. With increasing age, this becomes more important. Hence, make sure that you get yourself tested every six months or so and if at all medications are prescribed by a doctor, you take them on time.
