Simple ways to keep your heart healthy

These easy steps could save your life.


At the moment, the coronavirus is the concern of health n ° 1 in the earth, but keeping yourhealthy heart should also remain primordial: heart disease remains the cause # 1 of death in America, according to theCDC, with 655 381 dying of it annually. And as COVID-19 can cause heart problems, it makes sense to make sure your ticker is correctly. "Even if we feel healthy now, it's about avoiding a heart attack within 10 to 20 years," says the cardiologistTarak Rambhatla, ®, on the importance of annual physics for developing potential problems. "If we underlying the heart risk factors that we do not realize, these can progress towards a real 10-15 year old disease," he said. "If you know at least these numbers, this will give you a good setting to identify risk factors [heart attacks and diseases]." Read on and to ensure your health and health of others, do not miss theseSure sign that you have "Long" Covid and may even know.

1

Get your influenza shot

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Flu? And cardiac health? What is the connection? This: adults over 65 years older are more likely to experience fatal influenza complications, including heart attacks. That's why cardiologists likeAllen J. Taylor, MD, President of Cardiology at the heart of Medstar and the Vascular Institute, get influenza each year. "Many people do not know that their risk of a heart attack increases up to 10 times in days and weeks after acute infection," he says. A shot of the flu can also make sure that you do not get influenza over coronavirus, a double threat potentially fatal.

2

Moderate your stress levels

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"Stress hormones can cause an increase in cortisol that causes an increase in visceral fat (grease around your organs) that directly affects cardiac health," saysAndrea Paul, MD. Stress can increase adrenaline, a hormone that strikes in your "fight or flight" response and increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Keeping these figures high creates an inflammatory response in the body, which can in turn cause heart problems, including heart disease and even heart attacks.

3

Luminate your phone

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Cardiologists - like most of us, are glued to their phones. Although they must be available for work reasons, they also know the value of closure.

And they are right:A recent studyBy the American Psychological Association found that "the constant ladies" -or-still carry social media, e-mails and other applications on their smartphone - are more stressed than those who are not. "Take a vacation from your smart devices on weekends," recommends Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and a volunteer expert from the American Heart Association. "Choose a weekend day to pause."

4

Avoid toxins

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"Chemicals in processed foods, pesticides, alcohol, nicotine, recreational drugs and sweeteners have all put a strain on the cardiovascular system," saysShae Leonard, an authorized medical assistant and a functional medicine clinician. "This causes oxidative constraints leading to damage to ships, deposit and cardiovascular disease."

5

Pay attention to your blood glucose

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"The increase in blood glucose is where it begins (leads to oxidative damage to the arteries, endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and accumulation / blockages of the plague and cholesterol," said Leonard. "Get laboratory work done regularly to strive optimal levels not only" normal ". Or" within normal limits "; it is not optimal."

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6

Have a good night

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"Always allow enough time to sleep 8 at 9 o'clock every night," saysDr. Beverly Yates. "Create and hold a healthy sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning."

7

Push away the table

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"Pay attention to what you're hungry when you eat. Frequently pauses when your body has time to see if you are full," says Dr. Poson. "Keep track of your eating habits to see if you eat from the boredom or relieve stress. "

8

Exercise

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"Any amount of exercise is better than nothing at all," saysLeann Poston, MD. "Attach a goal, whether steps per day, stair staircase or more participate in any activity that gives you pleasure and requires movements."

"The best exercise of your heart is the exercise you actually do," says Dr. Yates. "Consistency counts."

9

To drink coffee

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Worried that your morning cup - or three of Joe hurts your heart? Do not be. "Fortunately, coffee is still good and even a little protective heart disease and diabetes," says Richard Collins, MD, a cardiologist based in Littleton, Colorado.

A recent study conducted by researchers from Queen Mary University of London found that even drinkingUp to 25 cups of coffee a dayDo not have an impact on your heart. While most of us do not drink much,Another study of German researchersI found that four cup consumption can help endothelial cells-or cells that align the interior of the blood vessels-work better, which can help the heart to pump blood more efficiently.

10

Do not forget your vitamins

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"The most important food stress leading to heart disease is a deficiency of B12 and folate. A deficit of one or the other of these causes an increase in the homocysteine ​​of cellular waste," saysSheldon Zablew, MD. "As this toxin increases, it causes an inflammation of endothelial cells that patter the blood vessels in the heart and increases the thickness of the blood. This combination causes an increase in blood clots that lead to heart disease and features."

RELATED:Without a sign that you can have dementia, according to the CDC

11

Sodium

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Although the American Heart Association recommends 2,300 mg sodium per day maximum, the average adult consumes more than 3,400 mg. This can spell problems for your health because sodium is one of the leading high blood pressure contributors, one of the risk factors for heart disease and cardiac crises.

Avoid these risks by limiting extra salt as much as possible.

"For packaged foods, the nutrition information panel can be useful for identifying lower sodium products and for menu items, guests may request information about sodium content," said the principal investigator of the study. Lisa J. Harnack, Dr.Ph., Professor at Minnesota University in Minneapolis. "In addition, if you frequently add salt to food at the table or in the preparation of home foods, consider using less".

12

No smoking

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"Over time, smoking contributes to atherosclerosis (plaque accumulation in the arteries) and increases your risk of having heart disease, heart failure or heart attack," saysNIH. "Compared to non-smokers, people who smoke are more likely to have heart disease and suffer from a heart attack."

RELATED: The simplest way to avoid a heart attack, let's say to doctors

13

Avoid big drinking alcohol

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While some drinks can be good for cardiac health, such as the lifting of your "good" cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol, if you do not drink already, your heart should not be a reason to start.

"Regular or high use of alcohol may hurt your heart and lead to heart muscle diseases, called cardiomyopathy," saysWebmd. "Drinking alcohol regularly can also raise your blood pressure."

14

Invest in personal care

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"My best advice for myself, your friends / family and my patients consists of taking a difficult position over 20 to 30 minutes of self-care that can take the form of meditation or relaxation other than the screen time , "saysSonal Chandra, MD. "This self-employment has the priority over any other work - the rest can wait!" Follow these basic mitigation measures for your heart and to ensure your health and health of others, do not miss these35 places you are most likely to catch Covid .


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