HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR HEART ?
Healthy HEART, Healthy YOU & Healthy LIFE.
Human Heart
The heart is a muscle and like any other muscle in order for it to be strong it has to be developed. The heart is the most important muscle in the body as it circulates the blood and is basically the life source of the body.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in most developed countries around the world, and the number of cases is rising constantly as a result of both modern lifestyles and increased overall longevity. While developing the condition can have a devastating impact on the sufferer's life, modern medicine has developed several effective treatments for heart disease, ranging from drugs and lifestyle improvements right through to surgery. Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so before we look at some of the symptoms of cardiac disease we'll look at some of the ways you can help your body ward off the risks. Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way to reducing the chances of developing cardiac problems, but there is unfortunately an element of inherited risk, so even those with excellent overall health may find that they're genetically programmed towards heart disease in later life. Thankfully, the greatest influence genetics has on heart disease is that of making us more susceptible to certain causes, and with careful adjustments of our lifestyles we can greatly improve our prospects of avoiding it.
The two most deadly contributors to cardiac problems are smoking and obesity. Both of these can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels, putting extra strain on the heart. Smoking causes the build up of fatty deposits within the arteries, also causing circulation problems. Being overweight also tends to mean that a healthy diet is not being followed, and so the body may well be short of essential minerals and nutriments that the heart needs to keep on functioning healthily. Stopping smoking and other unhealthy practices such as excessive drinking, along with improving diet and taking up exercise to reduce weight can go a long way towards averting problems.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in most developed countries around the world, and the number of cases is rising constantly as a result of both modern lifestyles and increased overall longevity. While developing the condition can have a devastating impact on the sufferer's life, modern medicine has developed several effective treatments for heart disease, ranging from drugs and lifestyle improvements right through to surgery. Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so before we look at some of the symptoms of cardiac disease we'll look at some of the ways you can help your body ward off the risks. Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way to reducing the chances of developing cardiac problems, but there is unfortunately an element of inherited risk, so even those with excellent overall health may find that they're genetically programmed towards heart disease in later life. Thankfully, the greatest influence genetics has on heart disease is that of making us more susceptible to certain causes, and with careful adjustments of our lifestyles we can greatly improve our prospects of avoiding it.
The two most deadly contributors to cardiac problems are smoking and obesity. Both of these can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels, putting extra strain on the heart. Smoking causes the build up of fatty deposits within the arteries, also causing circulation problems. Being overweight also tends to mean that a healthy diet is not being followed, and so the body may well be short of essential minerals and nutriments that the heart needs to keep on functioning healthily. Stopping smoking and other unhealthy practices such as excessive drinking, along with improving diet and taking up exercise to reduce weight can go a long way towards averting problems.
The symptoms of a
developing heart problem can be both subtle and dramatic. Unfortunately,
many of the symptoms can also signify other less dangerous conditions,
and so a diagnosis of heart disease is often made later than it could
have been. If you come across more than one of the symptoms below, then a
trip to your doctor is highly advisable. Breathlessness when engaged in
physical exercise is normal to some extent for almost everyone, but if
you find you're becoming breathless more and more easily then this is a
clear sign that your general fitness levels aren't all they could be,
and that your heart may be struggling under the pressure. Palpitations,
that is a heavily or unevenly beating heart, can be a sign of anxiety or
can come on after extreme exercise, but if neither of these situations
apply then heart problems could well be the culprit. A tingling feeling
in bodily extremities such as fingers, toes or lips is often a sign that
your cirulation system isn't delivering enough oxygen, again a sign of
possible heart problems. Should your extremeities go on to develop a
blueish colour then this is certainly not a good sign, and medical
attention should be sought at once. The final and most obvious sign of
cardiac problems is a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, a
condition known as angina. If you feel chest pain with any regularity,
even if not particularly severely, a medical check up is advisable to
make sure you catch any problems as early as possible. Angina can be
controlled very well by medication in many cases, and doesn't
necessarily have to develop into full-blown heart disease.
In summary, living a healthy lifestyle while keeping an eye out for the symptoms will greatly reduce the risk of your life being devastated by heart disease.
About the author: Simone writes for http://www.hearthealthy.co.uk/
In summary, living a healthy lifestyle while keeping an eye out for the symptoms will greatly reduce the risk of your life being devastated by heart disease.
About the author: Simone writes for http://www.hearthealthy.co.uk/
Take Some Quizzes and check, how healthy is your HEART ?
(No Cheating Now !!)
I. HOW'S YOUR DIET ?
1. My favourite breakfast is:
a. A bowl of cereal or any lite food.
b. Egg-and-bacon/fried food.
c. Stuffed bread with butter/I don't eat until lunchtime.
b. Egg-and-bacon/fried food.
c. Stuffed bread with butter/I don't eat until lunchtime.
2. Yesterday I ate these fruits and vegetables:
a. A wide range of colours: green (broccoli, green salad), orange (papaya, mango, melon, carrot), red (peppers, tomatoes), purple (blackcurrants, grapes).
b. A small variety: peas, banana, apple.
c. Almost none: the salad garnish in my burger and a bag of chips.
b. A small variety: peas, banana, apple.
c. Almost none: the salad garnish in my burger and a bag of chips.
3. When eating at a restaurant:
a. I usually make some special requests, such as substituting baked dishes for fried ones or leaving out the creamy sauces.
b. I bypass the obvious baddies like butter, cheese or mayonnaisa, and try to choose wisely, but I don't really know the difference between all the options.
c. I'm there to indulge myself. I'll have the chef's special.
b. I bypass the obvious baddies like butter, cheese or mayonnaisa, and try to choose wisely, but I don't really know the difference between all the options.
c. I'm there to indulge myself. I'll have the chef's special.
4. For nutritional insurance:
a. I make sure I get enough vitamins and minerals in my daily diet.
b. I occasionally take supplements when I skip meals.
c. I don' bother about this.
b. I occasionally take supplements when I skip meals.
c. I don' bother about this.
5. To watch how much I eat:
a. I serve small portions at home and eat little more than half of what I'm given when eating out.
b. I avoid taking second helpings but still probably eat more than I should.
c. I have a hard time resisting seconds, and I usually eat whatever I'm served.
b. I avoid taking second helpings but still probably eat more than I should.
c. I have a hard time resisting seconds, and I usually eat whatever I'm served.
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Answers for How's Your Diet ?
If you answered mostly 'a's
Your heart jumps for joy whenever you sit down to eat, knowing you always look out for its best interests by eating plenty of fresh produce, reasonable portions and limited amounts of dangerous fat. Adjusting your eating habits is certainly not the highest item on your must-do list. Make sure you keep up the good work, though!
If you answered mostly 'b's
Although your heart is usually in the right place, the best dietary choices often elude you. Because you are generally motivated to eat well, all you need is a little more know-how to be a "heart-smart" eater. Make this medium to high on your priority list.
If you answered mostly 'c's
Put "heart-healthy eating" high on your priority list: your current eating habits are damaging to your heart. By learning to make little changes - possibly taking more veggies, cutting portion sizes, choosing healthier main courses, and even sprinkling cinnamon on your toast-you and your heart can live a longer, healthier life.
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Your heart jumps for joy whenever you sit down to eat, knowing you always look out for its best interests by eating plenty of fresh produce, reasonable portions and limited amounts of dangerous fat. Adjusting your eating habits is certainly not the highest item on your must-do list. Make sure you keep up the good work, though!
If you answered mostly 'b's
Although your heart is usually in the right place, the best dietary choices often elude you. Because you are generally motivated to eat well, all you need is a little more know-how to be a "heart-smart" eater. Make this medium to high on your priority list.
If you answered mostly 'c's
Put "heart-healthy eating" high on your priority list: your current eating habits are damaging to your heart. By learning to make little changes - possibly taking more veggies, cutting portion sizes, choosing healthier main courses, and even sprinkling cinnamon on your toast-you and your heart can live a longer, healthier life.
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Exercise (Yoga)
II. HOW ACTIVE ARE YOU ?
1. My daily walking habits are:
a. I walk to the shower, to the car and to the café near work for lunch. I am too busy for much else.
b. I get up and move two or three times a day and usually take a nice walk at some point each day.
c. I usually try to walk for a few minutes in my lunch hour.
b. I get up and move two or three times a day and usually take a nice walk at some point each day.
c. I usually try to walk for a few minutes in my lunch hour.
2. My favourite recreational pastimes are:
a. Waching television, reading, hiring DVD's and going out to restaurants.
b. Walking, cycling and tennis: I like to be outdoors.
c. A good game of golf, but we usually take a buggy.
b. Walking, cycling and tennis: I like to be outdoors.
c. A good game of golf, but we usually take a buggy.
3. If someone suggested that I lift weights, I'd:
a. Laugh -- dumb-bells are not for me.
b. Say I already do, two or three days a week.
c. Be interested. I know lifting weights is important: I just don't know how.
b. Say I already do, two or three days a week.
c. Be interested. I know lifting weights is important: I just don't know how.
4. When I reach down to touch my toes, I can:
a. Barely see my toes, let alone reach them.
b. At least reach my shoelaces; on a good day, I can touch the floor.
c. Reach my ankles, but I am definitely not as supple as I used to be.
b. At least reach my shoelaces; on a good day, I can touch the floor.
c. Reach my ankles, but I am definitely not as supple as I used to be.
5. My general attitude about exercise is:
a. Ugh - it reminds me of PT (Physical Training) lessons.
b. It's the best part of my day.
c. I know I should do it, but somehow it's always the first thing to go when my day gets busy.
b. It's the best part of my day.
c. I know I should do it, but somehow it's always the first thing to go when my day gets busy.
Answers for How Active Are You?
If you answered mostly 'a's
Dust off your walking shoes and sack your outdated images of exercise. Inactivity is as bad for your heart as smoking. The good news is that exercise doesn't have to be boring or time-consuming. Just a few minutes of easy activity a day can dramatically reduce your heart disease risk. Put it high on your priority list.
If you answered mostly 'b's
Your get-up-and-go is great for your heart. By being active every day, whether by walking, cycling or lifting weights, you are keeping your arteries supple and clear. Although you've already overcome "sitting disease," keep motivated by adding new activities to your repertoire - as well as continuing to fit in the ones you already love.
If you answered mostly 'c's
Try as you might, our sedentary society usually gets the better of you, sidelining your best-laid exercise plans. But a little exercise goes a long way towards protecting your heart, especially if you can sneak in small increments throughout the day. Make this a medium to high priority.
Dust off your walking shoes and sack your outdated images of exercise. Inactivity is as bad for your heart as smoking. The good news is that exercise doesn't have to be boring or time-consuming. Just a few minutes of easy activity a day can dramatically reduce your heart disease risk. Put it high on your priority list.
If you answered mostly 'b's
Your get-up-and-go is great for your heart. By being active every day, whether by walking, cycling or lifting weights, you are keeping your arteries supple and clear. Although you've already overcome "sitting disease," keep motivated by adding new activities to your repertoire - as well as continuing to fit in the ones you already love.
If you answered mostly 'c's
Try as you might, our sedentary society usually gets the better of you, sidelining your best-laid exercise plans. But a little exercise goes a long way towards protecting your heart, especially if you can sneak in small increments throughout the day. Make this a medium to high priority.
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