Maintaining a healthy heart is
a top priority for many people. Heart disease is one
of the top killers in America, so no wonder everyone
is conscientious about a healthy heart.
Heart disease is caused by narrowing
of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries carry
blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart. When these
arteries get clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits,
you have a tough time getting blood to and from the
heart. Hence its important to improve your lifestyle
and diet for a healthy heart.
There are many factors which affect
a healthy heart, and these include your age, genes,
lifestyle, diet, among many other factors. Some of
these factors you cannot control, but there are many
factors which you could control to improve your heart's
health condition.
Some healthy heart
risk factors you have no control of:
Your age: as you get older, you
have higher chances of having heart problems.
Your gender: men has a higher
chance of having heart problems than women.
Your genes: your genes predetermine
your level of risk for heart disease. If your family
has a history of heart problems, you're at a higher
risk as well.
Despite these factors which you can't
control that affects your heart's health condition,
there a many factors which you do and can control
to achieve a healthy heart.
Healthy Heart factors
you have control of:
Regular exercising - having a
sedentary lifestyle isn't good for your heart. Exercising
regularly (3 times a week) will improve your overall
health. It's good for you on many levels - physical
health, weight control, cardio vascular healthy and
more.
Heart Healthy Diet - your diet
is a huge contributing factor to determining whether
you have a healthy heart. Eat a lot of fattening,
unhealthy food and little vegetables and grains, you're
guaranteed to be affected by heart problems. Eating
healthy is the first step you should take to maintaining
a healthy heart, and overall personal health. Here's
an excellent resource to get started. Lowering
your meat intake also helps.
Obesity - overweight individuals
are at higher risks for heart related problems. All
these factors are related to one another. You can
dramatically improve your health, weight, and healthy
heart if you have a healthy lifestyle, and exercise
regularly.
Smoking - did you now that smoking
increases your risk for heart disease by 400%? It's
one of the 'easier' factors to control - just quit.
But then it's never that easy. Just think this way,
you can save a few bucks, and live longer. :)
Stress - having too much stress
affects your health in many ways, not just your heart.
Controlling and effectively handling stress can improve
a healthy heart. Learn to relax, and regular exercising
can help you reduce stress.
High blood pressure - having
high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease.
Consult your doctor about high blood pressure.
So you see, a lot of these factors affecting your
heart's health is in your direct control. You CAN
have a HEALTHY HEART by keeping these factors
in mind, and working to control these factors. That's
why I've prepared all this health info to help you.
:)
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about a heart healthy diet
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