Heart diseases have been the leading cause of death in the world. In the US alone, more than 34 % of deaths are a result of heart and cardiovascular diseases. This number has significantly reduced compared to a few decades ago where more than 40% of patients died from heart and cardiovascular diseases. This has been due to an advancement in technology and medicine. The risks of heart diseases are more as you age. Men aged over 45 and women aged over 55 are the most vulnerable. Below are a few ways you can prevent heart diseases.
Ways to prevent heart diseases
Know your blood pressure
Unmonitored blood pressure can be dangerous as it may lead to hypertension i.e. high blood pressure. High blood pressure causes the inner lining of the blood vessels to wear off and eventually rupture. The higher one’s blood pressure is the higher the risk of hypertension. Therefore, visiting a physician and checking one’s blood pressure is important. Hypertension is a silent killer. Many victims do not know they are suffering from hypertension until it is too late.
Monitor blood lipids (cholesterol)
Many heart diseases are caused by intake of fatty foods that have a high cholesterol level. There are two main types of cholesterol. HDL is known as good or healthy cholesterol and is good for the body. The second cholesterol is LDL, also known as bad cholesterol or “lousy cholesterol.” There are three factors, which determine the amount of cholesterol in the body. First is the amount the liver produces, which is usually determined by genetics. The second factor is foods taken. Cholesterol is absorbed into the blood stream through the intestinal tract. Avoiding unhealthy fatty foods will lower the risk of having high cholesterol levels. The third factor is age. Your cholesterol levels increase as you age.
Avoid smoking or using tobacco
Smoking of tobacco or its use in any way is the number one factor that causes heart diseases. Tobacco is composed of chemicals, many of which can damage blood vessels and the heart. As far as heart diseases are concerned, there is no safe amount of smoking. When you smoke, the carbon monoxide in the smoke replaces the oxygen in the blood. This leads to an increased blood pressure that can cause hypertension and eventually death.
Exercise everyday
Exercising can be one of the best ways to preventing heart diseases. Regular exercise can prevent weight gain and significantly reduce heart conditions that may develop due to obesity. Exercising has also proven to remove toxins in the body. It is recommended to exercise at least 30 minutes daily to maintain a healthy heart. The same can be achieved by breaking the exercise into short 10-minute workout sessions.