- Limit smoking/tobacco use as it causes damage to the heart and blood vessels. This reduces oxygen in the blood, thereby increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
- Engage in exercises as it helps strengthen the heart, improve circulation, weight control and reduce the chance of developing conditions that may put a strain on the heart. About 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is recommended weekly.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet which includes fruits and vegetables, legumes, lean meats, whole grains and healthy oils (olive oil, soybean oil, etc).
- Limit excessive consumption of sugar, salt, processed/refined foods, and saturated and trans fats (found in fast fried foods) in the diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight as being overweight/obese increases the risk of heart diseases.
- Get good quality sleep: Make sleep a priority. Not getting enough sleep increases the risk of high blood pressure thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. Create a sleep schedule and be consistent with it.
- Manage stress effectively. Extreme stress can be a trigger for heart attack and affects lifestyle habits which are bad for the heart. This can be managed by exercising, meditating, listening to music, etc.
- Get regular health screening like blood pressure, lipid profile and blood glucose. People do not even know they have elevated blood pressure levels or high lipid profile most times but regular screening gives a better insight and the best steps to take.
Commentaires