Simple lifestyle changes are the most effective ways to maintain a young heart as enumerated by the ‘Life’s Simple 7’ recommended by the American Heart Association as follows-
1. Stop Smoking– To quit smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health. A year after giving up, your risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
2. Eat better– Cut down on salt and saturated fats and eat more of fruits, fibres and vegetables.
3. Get Active– Do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (brisk walking, cycling, swimming, etc.) on most days. Fit it in where you can, such as by climbing stairs instead of using the elevator or by walking for short distances rather than taking a vehicle.
4. Lose Weight– Stick to a healthy, balanced diet combined with regular physical activity.
5. Manage Blood Pressure
6. Control Cholesterol
7. Reduce Blood Sugar
Lifestyle illnesses like hypertension and diabetes commonly have no symptoms for a prolonged period of time. Hence, they may be missed unless they are specifically checked for.Therefore, it is very important to have regular routine check-ups, especially after reaching around 40 years of age for men and 45 years of age for women. People with a strong family history of heart disease may require screening from an even earlier age.
Do consult a Cardiologist to know more about the various screening tests available to assess your heart health and ways to keep your heart and body young for this new year and many more to come!
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