Keep Your Heart Fit at Forty with These Tips, Expert Says

Heart disease has become the leading cause of death worldwide. As you age, your chances of getting heart disease also increase. Your heart becomes stiffer and does not beat as quickly as it used to. The arteries that carry blood from your heart to your body become stiffer and potentially raise your blood pressure. And to curb the chances of getting heart disease, you must take special care of it. In this article, we’ve discussed a few tips to keep your heart young. Our cardiac specialist in Jaipur has helped us with the same. 

●        Lead an active lifestyle: Physical activity is essential for good health. Start doing aerobic or strength training exercises to help you lose weight. It is advised to engage in aerobic activity such as brisk walking or jogging for at least 150 minutes per week. 

Similarly, strength training exercises should be done at least twice a week. Before beginning any fitness regimen, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor first, as he will be able to recommend the best exercises for you. Make sure your body is properly hydrated before, during, and after exercise. 

●        Inculcate good eating habits: You should watch your calorie intake if you want to maintain a healthy weight.

Avoid putting on unnecessary calories without skimping on nutrition.

Consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, especially those that are less processed and high in fiber. A plant-based diet is more nutritious than other options. 

Choose legumes, nuts, soy, fish, and low-fat dairy products instead. Cutting back on red meat or chicken can be beneficial. Limit your intake of sugary beverages such as soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, flavored water, tea and coffee. Furthermore, other foods such as cookies, pies, cakes, doughnuts, ice cream, and candy can be culprits of weight gain. 

●        Know your numbers: Heart and blood vessel changes can sneak up on you, sometimes without warning. That is why it is critical to see your doctor or cardiologist on a regular basis.

Seek medical help immediately if you have:

-Chest ache

-Weakness

-Breathing difficulty

You may require a stress test or another type of screening test for heart disease. Keeping track of your numbers can help you and your physician to understand your heart health. 

●        Don’t indulge in heavy drinking: Binge drinking, on the other hand, hardens the arteries, raises blood pressure, and increases the risk of liver disease. However, we still avoid prescribing or advocating moderate drinking because it isn't as heart-protective as regular exercise, which we would recommend.

If you need to drink, limit yourself to two units per night and have at least two alcohol-free days per week. 

●        Curb your stress level: Chronic, daily stress is bad for your heart. It constricts arteries, raises blood pressure, and increases the risk of heart disease.

Do whatever you can to reduce stress. Just make sure it's beneficial for your health.

-Meditate.

-Laugh out loud while watching a movie.

-Trust a counselor or a good friend.

-Make sure you get enough sleep as well.

As per our best heart hospital in Jaipur, you should quiet your mind before bed by turning off all of your screens and reading a book. 

If you have any queries related to your heart health, consult our best cardiologist in Jaipur and know more about keeping your heart healthy.