See the best ways to protect your heart

Did you know that there are many ways to protect your heart while you go about living everyday life? Find out what they are in this article!

Heart disease is the top source of mortality in the world, and several medical problems make you vulnerable. There are actions you can follow to protect your heart function, and it is not too early or late to begin.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is referred to a variety of health-related illnesses. Some examples of heart-related disease are; coronary artery disease; heart rhythm abnormalities; and heart defects that are present at birth.

Heart disease and cardiovascular disease are frequently used interchangeably. Cardiovascular diseases are problems involving restricted or obstructed blood vessels. These heart diseases can result in a heart attack, chest pain, or stroke. Other types of cardiac illness include those that impact the muscle, valves, or rhythm of your heart.

Many types of cardiovascular disease can be avoided or cured by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Who gets heart disease?

Heart disease can affect everyone. It’s also the biggest cause of death among diabetics and kidney disease patients.

However, some people are at a higher risk of developing heart disease than others.  You may be more likely to develop heart disease if you have a family history of it.

You can also have a higher risk of having heart disease if you are not taking the right measure to protect your heart. Smoking or eating the wrong kind of food or not exercising regularly increases your likelihood of having heart disease.

Also, Your risk increases as you become older, especially for women after menopause. It is, however, never too late to decide to protect your heart.

There are steps you may take if you already have heart disease or have had a stroke to manage your condition and lower your chance of another, possibly fatal, recurrence.

Many people with heart disease don’t show any symptoms until they have a heart attack or a stroke. This is why knowing your risk factors and discussing them with your doctor is so important. You can protect your heart and control heart disease even if you already have it or if it runs in your family.

What types of heart disease are there?

The following are examples of different types of cardiac disease:

• Arrhythmia: This is the Intermittent pulsing of the heart. An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality
• Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a disorder that affects the arteries. It refers to the hardening of arteries.
•  Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that affects people of all ages. This condition causes the heart muscles to stiffen or weaken.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a heart-related arterial disease. Plaque buildup in the coronary arteries causes coronary artery disease. Ischemic heart disease is another name for it.
• Congenital heart defects are heart abnormalities that are apparent at birth.
• Infections of the heart: Heart infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

What are some heart disease risk factors?

Heart disease is caused by several reasons. Some things can be controlled, while others cannot. According to the CDC, about half of all Americans have at least one risk factor for heart disease. These are some of the risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes

 

How is heart disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis of heart disease usually begins with a thorough history and physical examination. This can help determine what tests are needed. Your doctor will also ask you about:

• Your symptoms, including when they began, how severe they are, and whether they occur at rest or during exercise.
• The duration of your symptoms, whether they come and go, and what causes them to get better or worse.
• Your medical history, including any heart disease risk factors and any major surgeries or illnesses you’ve had.
• Your family’s medical history, particularly the ages at which your parents and siblings had a heart attack, had coronary bypass surgery or underwent other cardiac treatments.
• Any prescriptions you’re taking, including over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements.

What can I do to protect my heart?

Fortunately, there are numerous steps you may do to lower your risk of heart disease:

Maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

The cause is high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly, at least once a month for people without a history.

However, it should be much more frequently (twice a day) if you have a history of high blood pressure. Take steps to prevent or control high blood pressure, such as changing your diet.

Maintain a healthy cholesterol and triglyceride level.

Cholesterol levels that are too high can clog arteries, increasing your risk of coronary artery disease and heart stroke. Cholesterol levels can be lowered by a combination of lifestyle changes and medication when needed. In the bloodstream, triglycerides are a type of fat.

Also, High triglyceride levels, especially in women, can raise the risk of coronary heart disease.

Maintain healthy body weight.

Obesity or being overweight can increase your risk of heart disease. This is mostly due to their association with other heart disease risk factors such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. However, these dangers can be reduced if you maintain a healthy weight.

Maintain a nutritious and well-balanced diet.

Avoid sodium-rich, saturated-fat-rich, and sugar-rich diets. Instead, consume a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Make sure to diet that can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Consistently exercising should become a habit.

Increased circulation and heart strength are two of the many advantages of exercise. Also, assist you in maintaining a healthy weight and decreasing cholesterol and blood pressure. All of these things can help in protecting your heart.

Reduce alcohol intake.

Blood pressure can rise if you consume too much alcohol. It also provides additional calories, which could result in weight gain. Both of these things raise your risk of heart disease. Men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, while women should consume no more than one.

Avoid smoking.

Cigarette smoking elevates blood pressure and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Don’t start smoking if you don’t already. If you smoke, stopping reduces your chances of developing heart disease. You can get assistance from your health care professional in determining the best method for you to quit.

Learn how to deal with pressure.

Stress can trigger some heart diseases. It has the potential to cause an increase in blood pressure. Extreme stress can cause a heart attack.

Avoid certain toxic stress-relieving behaviours, such as overeating, heavy drinking, and smoking. Instead, exercising, listen to music, focus on something calm or serene, and meditate to help reduce stress