Even though heart disease remains a significant global health concern, a substantial portion of heart disease cases can be prevented. Initiating preventive measures early in life is the key to a lifetime of heart health. This blog will explore the primary importance of early prevention and provide tips on managing a heart-healthy lifestyle. We will understand the core principles of cardiovascular, getting more insights and a better understanding of what heart disease means. The blog is not limited to just the learning aspect, but it’s a helpful guide for people of all ages and heart conditions to take a step towards a healthier heart. To take a step toward a healthy heart as early as possible, first, it’s essential to understand the importance of prevention for the risk of heart disease. Let us embark on this journey together to take care of our hearts as well as our loved ones. Understanding Heart Disease Certain unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, and having high cholesterol or blood pressure, can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. To prevent heart disease, it’s important to understand heart disease. This term is also known as cardiovascular disease and includes various conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.
Heart disease is a broad term that encompasses multiple disorders:
1. Coronary artery disease
2. Heart attacks
3. Arrhythmias
4. Valvular Heart Disease
The Importance of Early Prevention As rightly said, “Prevention is better than cure”. So, it’s essential to know the “why and how” early prevention could be better in so many ways. It’s also shown through research that childhood itself develops risk factors for heart disease, which also makes it indispensable for us to make better, healthier lifestyle choices from early in life to better our heart health with age.
Let us understand some factors for early prevention:
Long-term impact:
The long-term implications are sustained if established since childhood. The habits and lifestyle choices we make when we are young are more likely to stay for a prolonged period. Hence, it becomes crucial to adopt heart-healthy decisions from a young age.
Reduced risk:
As stated earlier, prevention lowers the risk of developing heart disease. It is easier to prevent the disease by adopting some heart-healthy life choices than to treat it once already done.
Better quality of life:
Heart is undoubtedly the most critical factor. However, a heart-healthy lifestyle would not just protect the heart but also make the quality of life better by improving the overall physical and mental health.
Tips for a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle:
We now know that early prevention is vital for better heart health; let us also look at some steps that promote better heart health.
A balanced diet:
A balanced diet is essential for a healthy heart; including fruits, whole grains & protein-rich food with “Zero Oil Cooking” helps to enhance heart health. Similarly, limiting consumption of saturated fats, sodium, and excess processed food contributes to the same.
Stay active:
Maintaining a healthy weight is not just good for the heart but overall health as well. A healthy weight can be achieved with the help of a balanced diet and including any physical activity in your day-to-day life.
Quit Smoking:
Smoking is injurious to health, as the pack itself suggests; it’s even worse for heart health, leading to a primary reason for heart disease. Quitting smoking helps in improving heart health.
Limit alcohol intake:
We saw this coming, didn’t we? Excessive drinking contributes to heart health. So it’s important to drink in moderation if you choose to
Stress management:
Managing stress for a healthy heart is critical. Involving in activities like meditation, yoga, or even talking to someone like a therapist or your close ones could help.
Know your numbers:
High blood pressure and cholesterol can be significant contributors to heart disease; therefore, keeping a regular check on your blood pressure and cholesterol level will help you keep track of your heart health.
Quality sleep:
Poor sleep increases the risk of heart disease; aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Regular check-ups:
Regular time-to-time check-ups help you to track your heart health. Get in touch with SAAOL or any of your regular heartcare providers to consult the heart health experts to monitor your heart health and get recommendations based on your needs.
Conclusion:
Preventing heart disease is not an overnight journey but rather a lifelong journey, which should be taken care of as young as possible. Adding years to your life would require some effort, but like it’s said, “ it’s never too early to start taking care of your heart, nor is it too late to start. Adopting a healthy lifestyle significantly reduces the risk of heart disease and helps to improve your heart health. Remember, heart health is a journey that needs abundant care and changes in your daily routine.
“Stanford Medicine.” (https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=prevention-of-heart-disease-starts-in-c hildhood-1-4508)
10 Best Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy and Strong! Bluenet hospital.
https://bluenethospitals.com/blog/cardiology/10-Ways-Heart-Healthy