Heart

Jumpstart your heart healthy lifestyle

February 6, 2023 People's Journal 280 views

FEBRUARY is Heart Month – for lovers and for your heart health as well. So, this is a good time to start living a healthier lifestyle.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.

An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, representing 32 percent of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85 percent were due to heart attack and stroke. About one-third of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.

Sedentary and those who are seated all day or work at a desk all day are the factors of unhealthy lifestyle (aside from unhealthy eating). These could lead to high bad cholesterol and hypertension.

The build-up of cholesterol levels, beyond normal levels, can pose serious risks to health, leading to heart attacks and strokes. While medications can help improve cholesterol levels, medicine side effects are expected and could hurt your liver.

Here are a few tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your heart and your loved ones.

  •  Eat heart-healthy foods. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats as possible. Trans fats, also called “partially hydrogenated” are found in margarine and processed foods. Better eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, salmon and flaxseeds.
  • Exercise regularly. Increase your physical activity and exercise as this helps improve good cholesterol levels.
  • Maintain healthy body weight. Overweight and obesity lead to bad cholesterol. Dieting and losing weight could help improve cholesterol numbers and boost your heart health.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation. One drink a day for healthy adults is fine especially for men and women older than the age of 65. Too much alcohol can lead to serious liver problems.

By Bhaby See

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