Heart diseases and strokes have become significant things that take people’s lives. We all know that our heart is an essential part of our bodies. It pumps the blood around, delivering oxygen and nutrients to our cells. Thus, we must take good care of it.
A stroke occurs when the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to the brain and can be life-threatening. In this article, we will establish ways to protect ourselves from heart conditions and strokes to lengthen your life by a little bit more.
Be Physically Active
Ever heard of the phrase ‘sitting is the new smoking? Well, it is somewhat applicable. Being physically active is one of the best ways to maintain a strong heart.
Adults should get approximately 150 minutes of each week of physical activity. You do not have to start big, but even a little movement throughout the day can be a massive leap toward a healthier cardiovascular system.
So, sit less and walk more. One of the ways I find efficient is walking around while watching TV.
Stay At a Healthy Weight
Depending on your age and height, you need to ensure that the weight you are currently at is appropriate for your body type. Here is a website that helps you do that: https://www.calculator.net/bmi-calculator.html.
This website asks you to put your weight and height in the boxes, which will tell you your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI tells you if you are at a healthy weight for your height.
Being overweight and obese are also causes of heart conditions. It contributes by giving you problems like atrial and ventricle enlargement, leading to heart failure. Therefore, it is essential to watch your weight.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet is also really important for good heart health and stroke prevention. For example, leafy greens like spinach, kale, lettuce, and cabbage are known for their abundant antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
They also help blood flow through your arteries by initiating an appropriate level of blood clotting. As a result, they can reduce blood pressure and your chances of acquiring a cardiovascular disease by 16%. Whole grains, berries, and nuts like walnuts are also healthy for the heart. Click here for a more extensive list of 15 heart-healthy foods.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are oral contraceptive pills usually taken by women. This is not a staggering risk; however, in a small percentage of women, birth control pills could increase the risk of blood clots and high blood pressure. The trouble is increased if the act of smoking comes into play.
If cardiovascular conditions run in your family background, you are more prone to it too. It would be best if you reached out for professional advice while considering taking birth control pills.
Smoking
Smoking has a lot of downfalls and is classified as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular health and strokes. People, under any circumstances, should steer clear of smoking. Smoking contributes to the increase of plaque in your arteries. This leads to a poor flow of blood.
Additionally, smoking also disturbs the natural rhythm of heartbeats. Some other cons of smoking include the thickening of the blood, a decrease of oxygen cells in the blood, and higher blood pressure and heart rate.
This makes your heart work harder than it needs to. Smoking is the most significant disadvantage of human life. Not only is it bad for your heart, but also your airways in the lungs. It is one of the biggest reasons people have lung cancer.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The overuse of drugs and alcohol has a severe effect on your heart health. Medicines requiring injection are said to have caused problems like vein damage and bacterial infection in the blood vessel and parts of the heart. Alcohol, on the other hand, causes a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Consumption of drugs and alcohol in the long term can lead to a faster heartbeat, high blood pressure, and weak heart muscles. All of these are causes of heart attacks and strokes.
Last Words
Many other things are caused, like increased stress and high-fat diets. Some people are already predisposed to heart conditions, meaning they carry it in their genetics.
But prevention can only happen when you know your risks. It can be scary to learn about these life-threatening instances. However, you must understand your risks and learn to prevent yourself from being a victim of heart attacks and strokes.