Health & Fitness
Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Heart
Helpful tips to maintain a Healthy Heart. A guide on facts about routines and good diet that in real effects your heart health....
For millennia, people have gazed upon the heart in wonder, and directed much research towards understanding its function within the human body. Indeed, for such a small organ, it is responsible for some of the most vital processes that keep us alive. But as fascinating as this may be, a more pressing question remains: how do we maintain a healthy heart?
The muscle in your heart is called cardiac muscle, which has gap junctions that help with flow. The next time you feel nervous and your heart starts beating really fast, remember that it's just your brain preparing for potential danger by telling the heart to pump more blood. In the old days, being in danger meant we had to response quickly through fleeing or fighting. That's why adrenaline makes the heart pump faster..
The Heart: What Does it Actually Do?
People often equate the heart with romance, but this is untrue. Your heart has nothing to do with your emotions. Artists and poets, among others, have written about how their hearts hurt because of a certain romantic problem; however, in reality, your heart does not experience these emotions.
Now let's discuss what your heart does. Its primary function is to pump blood that contains oxygen throughout the body with the assistance of elastic tissue and constant resistance in arteries. Additionally, your heart also distributes hormones and other metabolites through your system, playing a central role in many functions. Maintaining blood pressure is another area where your heart excels; this is why medications are given to alter how the heart beats when someone has low or high blood pressure.
What Can You Do To Keep Your Heart Healthy?
With the current emphasis on productivity and achievement, it's easy to sacrifice your wellbeing for the sake of staying ahead. However, neglecting your health will only lead to more problems down the road. Rather than trying to do everything at once, focus on taking small steps that will improve your overall health in the long run. Even though life today moves faster than ever, there are still ways to keep your heart healthy. One important way is through diet. A good diet for a healthy heart should include plenty of fiber, carbs, fats and protein. It's not hard to find a nutritionist who can help you design a diet that fits your specific needs.
A good exercise routine is crucial to maintaining optimal health. This can include running, jogging, aerobics, yoga, or any other activity that gets your heart pumping. Exercise should be seen as something enjoyable that helps relieve stress rather than a chore.
Additionally, smoking is detrimental to heart health and increases the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer. In other words: you may enjoy smoking but your heart certainly does not!
Drinking alcohol has become a crutch for some people to use as an escape. Not only is it shown to be dangerous in the media, but it can also cause irreversible changes to your heart, such as hardening of walls and prolapse of valves. However, drinking alcohol in moderation can actually have benefits!
Managing stress is just important managing other physical health factors because too much stress can lead to heart attacks. Some ways manage stress are through journaling, yoga, meditation or baths!
Taking care of your mental state is just as important as taking care of your physical state when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart. Be sure to keep up with appointments with your therapist and make an effort to be the best version of yourself!
Periodic Testing
To maintain a healthy heart, cardiologists recommend getting an electrocardiograph (ECG) and echo every six to twelve months. Your age and family history are two deciding factors in how often you should get these routine checkups. You shouldn't live life scared of having a heart attack, but instead be proactive by knowing your risks. Did you know that... It's essential to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle for longevity!
