Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide; however, it is majorly overlooked and ignored by patients suffering from it. With dedication and commitment, even the slightest lifestyle change can improve your cardiovascular health. Let’s go through small changes that can turn lives around!
1. Save your life with a healthy diet
As cliché as it may sound, a healthy diet covers up for most health problems humans suffer from. Our nutritionist, in collaboration with the Cardiology Department at RMI, has devised the most appropriate list for cardiovascular health. Eat smart to live a healthier life.
- Opt for low sodium foods.
- Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Eat more whole grain foods.
- Avoid white flour and white rice.
- Prefer lean proteins as your main course.
- Drink low-fat milk and yoghurt.
- Add garlic, cinnamon and turmeric to your food, generously.
- Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day.
- Add chia seeds, flax seeds and sunflower seeds to your food.
- Avoid processed, junk and tinned/canned food.
2. Quit smoking
Regular smokers tend to have a higher probability of developing heart diseases, ultimately leading to death. If you or your loved ones smoke, support each other to quit. Though it requires a lot of discipline and dedication, it can’t be more precious than life itself. Give up smoking and distract yourself with healthier activities.
3. Stop eating your heart out
It is to be done both figuratively and literally. Research indicates that stress, anxiety and depression are directly related to cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack. People with anxiety and stress disorders physically damage the heart by putting additional strain on it. For people with existing cardiac diseases, the consequences may be far more damaging.
4. Break a sweat
Individuals who don't work out are twice as likely at the risk of cardiovascular diseases as opposed to individuals who exercise regularly. Aerobic exercises and strength training are ideal for beating heart diseases and improving overall cardiac health.
5. Monitor your blood pressure and diabetes
A healthy diet high in fiber and low in sodium and sugar content, is essential to keep the blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes at bay. Factors such as inactivity, obesity and genetics also contribute to such life-threatening diseases that lead to heart attack and stroke.
