Tips for a Healthy Heart

More often than not, we neglect the human heart. Most of the time, we think of the heart and what it symbolizes and forget to regard it for its true function.

There are all sorts of feelings that we associate with the heart. When we are in love, elated, or excited, we automatically relate it with the heart. When we are experiencing loss, sadness, or pain,we refer to it as “heartbreak”.

We are so caught up in all our day to day emotions. We often fail to remember the true importance of the human heart. As a result, we neglect its health as well.

The human heart, which is about the size of your fist, is one of the most vital organs in our system. It has its own electrical energy, which then enables it to provide a continuous supply of blood throughout the whole human body. This blood supply fuels the body and all its organs so that it may function as a whole.

We must consider that since the heart is of utmost importance, we must take measures to keep it functioning as normally as possible.

Here are a few tips on how to maintain a healthy heart:

Don’t smoke – We’ve all heard this line before, but just how significant is taking away your usual nicotine and tobacco fix? Chemicals from tobacco and cigarettes cause narrowing in your blood vessels which then makes your heart work harder. This results in high blood pressure and a decreased supply of oxygen in your system.

A�Exercise – In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, squeezing in a regular work-out session may not be as easy as it sounds, especially when you have 9 to 5 job. Getting in some daily exercise reduces your risk of fatal heart disease. So taking the stairs, walking to work when possible, or fitting in a quick 20 minute exercise can make all the difference.

Eat healthy- A healthy diet would mean low cholesterol, low fat and low sodium. Also make sure to have meals with lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Incorporate beans and other high sources of protein as well.

Maintain a healthy weight- Exercising and a healthy diet will help you in keeping your weight in check. It is also important to monitor your BMI and waist circumference.

Regular check-ups- You may look fit, but appearance isn’t the best judge of optimum health. Regular blood pressure monitoring, as well as screening for diabetes and cholesterol levels are a must.

Remember, as resilient as the human being is, the human heart may not be as strong when not properly cared for.