In our fast-paced modern lifestyle, the choices we make for a quick and convenient daily routine have brought Heart health into the spotlight. The once-held notion that heart issues primarily affect senior adults is now evolving, and today, 1 out of 5 heart patients are less than 40 years old. As common as the trinity of poor diet, insufficient exercise, and smoking has become, the more it is downgrading our cardiovascular health. While we thrive on our professional ambitions, we are failing to take care of our physical well-being. Heart health is becoming a concern worldwide, and we need to address our lifestyle factors soon.
This article explains simple and practical steps to safeguard Heart health in the face of today’s demanding lifestyle.
Modern Lifestyle And Its Impact On Our Heart Health
Modern Lifestyle significantly contributes to the rising incidents of heart-related issues. Here are some of the key aspects to consider:
- Modern Dietary Pattern – The contemporary dieting trends are characterized by excessive consumption of processed food, saturated and trans fat, sugar, and sodium. While these dietary choices may be easy and appealing, they are leading to obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, all of which, when present together, can risk cardiovascular health.
- Sedentary Lifestyle – Our bodies are designed to move, but the sedentary lifestyle in this modern world demands sitting for prolonged periods. This, as a result, contributes to obesity, which elevates the likelihood of heart disease.
- Heavy Alcohol Consumption – Although Alcohol when consumed with limitations can have certain benefits, excessive drinking habits can result in hypertension and sometimes heart failure.
- Stress and Mental Health – Bad mental health and increased stress levels can lead to chronic stress, impacting our cardiovascular health negatively.
7 Tips To Prevent Heart Diseases From Modern Lifestyle
- Adopt a heart-healthy Diet
Making dietary changes can do wonders not only for heart health but also for overall well-being. Follow a balanced, nutrition-rich diet consisting of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Minimize the consumption of packaged and processed food and limit your salt and sugar intake.
- Maintain an exercise routine
Aim for 30 to 45 minutes of exercise routine daily. Involve brisk walking, indulge in yoga, or join a gym at your convenience. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is important to combat the ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
- Ensure quality (and adequate) sleep
Prioritize 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep every night. While we sleep our body goes into a process of restoration that contributes to our overall mental and physical well-being. Whereas, insufficient sleep is often associated with disruption in certain conditions that may directly or indirectly affect cardiovascular health.
- Manage Stress
According to the American Heart Association, Chronic stress is associated with increased heart events. Stress increases inflammation in the body and can harm your heart through low or high blood pressure. Therefore, reduce your daily stress by practicing yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or indulging in hobbies that lighten your mood.
- Quit Smoking
If you Smoke and are concerned for your heart health, Quit smoking right away. Smoking can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, elevate blood pressure, form blood clots, and decrease oxygen supply to the heart leading to multiple cardiovascular complications.
- Limit Alcohol Consumption
Although alcohol in moderation isn’t harmful to health, its excessive intake can lead to heart issues and damage your overall Cardiovascular health.
- Go for routine health checkups
Individuals in their late 20s and early 30s (and further) must begin going for routine health checkups. Visit a healthcare professional for early detection and management of health parameters that can impact your heart health.
Consider focusing on health parameters including Hypertension, Cholesterol, Diabetes, BMI, Triglyceride Levels, etc. Also, keep a check on your Waist-to-Hip ratio, Pulse and Heart rate, Resting Metabolic Rate along overall Mental and Physical fitness.
Conclusion
A healthy heart is the foundation for a healthy body and long life. For taking care of your heart health in the face of modern lifestyle requires an active and holistic approach. From eating mindfully to exercising, prioritizing sleep, limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoke, and visiting your doctor for regular checkups, every step is necessary.
Remember the small choices and changes we make in our present life have an impact on our future.
