Tuesday, October 4, 2011

10 Tips for a healthy heart

A strong heart is a result of healthy lifestyle choices. Be active and stress-free 

Today's fast-paced life and workplace pressures escalate stress levels, taking a toll on one's heart. We must realise that the healing power of the body decreases when under stress, leading to many complications like hypertension and poor immunity. Today, even youngsters are prone to heart ailments. So, it's very important to stay healthy and manage your stress levels by understanding the risk factors - high cholesterol levels, stressful lifestyle, smoking, and lack of exercise - following simple changes in lifestyle.

Avoid smoking 
Smoking reduces life expectancy by 15-25 years. If you are a smoker, you are twice more likely to have a heart attack than a non-smoker. The moment you stop smoking, the risk of heart attack begins to reduce.

Cut down on salt 
Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Watch your diet 
Try to have a balanced diet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, starch foods such as wholegrain bread and rice.

Monitor your alcohol 
Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and also lead to weight gain. Avoid intake of alcohol or at least limit it to one to two units a day, gradually decreasing the consumption.

Get active 
At least aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Keeping yourself fit not only benefits the heart but also improves mental health and well-being.

Monitor your BP, blood sugar and cholesterol levels 
Routine medical check-ups will ring an alarm, if you need medical help.

Manage your waist 
Cholesterol deposition in blood vessels begins in the first decade of life. Carrying a lot of extra weight as fat can greatly affect your health. Make small but healthy changes in your diet.

Manage your stress level 
If you find things are getting on top of you, you may fail to eat properly, smoke and drink too much. This may increase your risk of a heart attack. Practice yoga/meditation. Take a vacation.

Check your family history 
If a close relative is at risk of developing coronary heart disease from smoking, high BP, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes, then you could be at risk too.

Laughter is the best therapy 
Laughter anytime will work wonders for you. It is an instant way to unleash the pressure and it makes you feel light.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Open Cbox

DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: WE does not own any images.,stories,words,videos or content on this webpage. This blog contains only embeded content available in internet. YOUTHROCKSZ is not responsible for any of the content hosted on this page. If you feel that any of the content on this website is copyrighted, then let we know and we will delete the content from the blog.mail us at : YOUTHROCKSZ@AOL.IN
 
Twitter Bird Gadget