It doesn’t take a genius to work out that heart health is important. As vital organs go, this one’s top of the list. In fact, if your body were a control tower, your heart would be at the helm. By pumping blood around your body, it’s responsible for providing the oxygen necessary for the rest of your organs. So, when it comes to looking after ourselves, most of us start here, at the root.
What you might not realize, though, is that lousy heart health can harm you in a whole load more ways than the obvious. While the risk of heart attack should be enough to make us take notice, it’s often one of those issues which seem far removed. As a result of that, many us turn our backs or ignore the possibility, and abuse our hearts without worry. Well, it’s time to stop that today. And, we know how to make it happen.
Would you be so keen to harm your heart, for instance, if you knew that your family would be at risk as a result? Nope; we didn’t think so. Well, that’s precisely what could happen if you aren’t careful. And, we’re going to look at two of the reasons why.
An unsafe pregnancy
If you develop heart disease before having a child, it sometimes isn’t safe to proceed with conception. Admittedly, heart disease is no longer an instant pregnancy no-go. But, a doctor may still advise you to look into a surrogate program rather than putting your body through that strain. And, that makes sense when you consider your blood volume increases by 30-50% during pregnancy. That added strain could just be too much for a damaged heart. As such, you may never experience the joys of childbirth if you don’t take care here from a young age.
The genetic factor
Even if you do manage to have kids before heart disease sets in, this is a genetic issue. In fact, genes can more than double our risks here. Luckily, that needn’t be an issue if we look after ourselves. But, our kids often mimic our behavior. So, not looking after your heart increases their chances of falling foul to those genes. If you eat fatty foods, for instance, they’re more likely to. If you don’t exercise, there’s less chance they will down the line. And, if you smoke and drink a lot around the home, they’re likely to do the same. Make sure it doesn’t happen by setting an example worth following. If you do have risk factors you should make an appointment with your family doctor. From there, your doctor may refer you to see another doctor like a cardiac catheterization specialist.
Now we’ve got your attention; it’s time to consider how exactly you can set the right heart health example. Read on to find out.
Alter your diet
Perhaps the best thing you can do is change your diet. Saturated fats can do untold damage to your arteries and your heart. Hence why people who eat a lot of greasy and fatty foods face higher risk levels. Even if you don’t indulge in fat this way, being overweight can put increased strain on your heart. And, that in itself poses risks. So, you need to make changes here. The good news is, there are foods out there which promote heart health rather than hinder it. Fish rich in omega 3, for instance, can keep your ticker in top condition. Equally, fruits such as oranges and papayas can really help here. So, do your research and make sure to implement your findings fast.
Get active
Exercise is also essential for continued heart health. A sedentary lifestyle can again double your risk of disease. By comparison, someone who exercises for 30 minutes a day can improve their cholesterol and lower their blood pressure. All of which can make a massive difference to your heart. Bear in mind, though, that you need to build up slowly here. Pushing yourself too far could do more damage than good. So, start with ten minutes a day, and only increase that once you’ve got the heart to do it.
Cut bad habits
It should go without saying that you also need to cut your bad habits, but we’re going to say it anyway. At the top of this list is, of course, smoking. A regular smoking habit can damage your arteries, leading to a whole host of cardiovascular problems. Alcohol can also wreak havoc by increasing your heart rate and blood pressure among other things. Don’t do that to your family. Instead, cut the bad stuff, and focus on a healthy and happy heart life from now on.