Heart issues and heart-related fatalities are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. And stroke because of heart issues is the second most common reason for death.
One of the major reasons why there is a spike in heart issues or heart-related disease is the lack of awareness and necessary commitment to heart health. You need to keep your heart healthy because it is the one organ that is responsible for the transfer of blood to the whole body and thus is important for the transfer of oxygen with it.
Signs and Symptoms Your Heart Might Not be Healthy
Given below are some of the symptoms that your heart is not healthy:
- Severe pain in the chest
- Rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing
- Severe pain in the neck, jaw, throat and upper belly portion
- Pain and numbness in the neck and coldness in the legs
- Narrowing of the blood vessels
In case you are expressing any of these mentioned symptoms then your doctor can recommend you a cholesterol test. Make sure to ask about the cholesterol test price in Pakistan.
Complications Due to Heart Diseases
Heart issues if not catered to at the right time can lead to the given health complications:
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Peripheral artery disease
- Sudden cardiac arrest
Lifestyle Improvements for Better Heart Health
There are certain changes in one’s lifestyle that can actively help with the overall betterment of the heart. We have compiled the best and most necessary measures in the given list:
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a waste of a habit that can lead to the entry of various carcinogens into the body leading to the destruction of respiratory tissues. It also leads to the narrowing of the blood vessels hence increasing the chances of stroke or heart attack.
Therefore if you want to enjoy the perks of a better and stable heart then you should pay attention to quitting smoking. It will be a tough task but will yield good results at the end of the day.
Make Better Dietary Choices
One of the best ways to decrease your rate of cardiovascular diseases and to increase the chances of a better heart is through diet. The everyday food that you are consuming can have if is not right then can have a direct effect on the level of cholesterol in your blood. It also leads to obesity or might increase your risk of diabetes or other issues as well.
Therefore if you are wondering about the ways to increase your heart health then paying attention to cholesterol levels is highly pertinent. Try to choose high vitamin, mineral and fibre-rich foods over fast foods any day and every day.
Make your meal plans by considering many factors such as whether this food option boosts an ample amount of antioxidants or not. You can also pay attention to vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
You can try the given below foods which will prove to be the best options for your heart:
- Poultry
- Fish
- Legumes
- Non-tropical vegetable oils
- Nuts
- Low-fat dairy products
You should also try to limit the following food options such as:
- Sweets
- Sugar-sweetened beverages
- Red meats
But also make sure to maintain a healthy weight. 95% of heart issues are related to obesity. Therefore it is important to consult with a doctor to maintain the right weight in these scenarios.
Maintaining the Right Blood Cholesterol Levels
If you are habitual of eating fatty foods then all the fat can get logged in your arteries. This can constrict the artery leading to severe health complications such as high blood pressure and high chances of stroke.
Thus, one way or another you have to figure out a way to reduce your fat intake. You can also try to limit your fat intake by engaging in physical exercise. In case you are unable to lower your cholesterol levels with the help of exercise or diet control then you need to consult with the best heart specialist in Lahore.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
Obesity is a leading cause of heart-related issues. A sedentary lifestyle, dependence on fast foods and not giving attention to physical exercise can actually be quite disastrous for your heart. You need to understand the fact that sometimes exercise is the key to it all. It can help you to maintain good body weight and can be virtuous for reducing the other various health complications.
Manage Your Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which a person suffers from high levels of blood glucose which can be deleterious for the kidneys and heart. Therefore it is necessary to keep track of your sugar levels in case you are diabetic.
Stress Management
Recent studies have also noted the impacts stressful life can have on our heart health. Stress can urge people to smoke. And we have discussed in detail why smoking is injurious to health. It can give rise to the above-discussed heart complications. Thus make sure to manage your work or life related stress.