Factors Directly Affect The Heart: Heart has a special place in the body. The heart is the organ through which blood flows in the body. A small deficiency in it not only affects the body but can also become life threatening. Everything from diet to physical activity affects the heart, but apart from these, there are four factors which directly affect the health of the heart. These regulate everything from the flow of blood reaching the heart to the heartbeat. If they are kept balanced, we can keep our heart healthy and keep ourselves healthy for a long time.
These Four Factors Directly Affect The Heart
1) Inflammation
Inflammation is a process of the body healing itself, but sometimes the immune system starts damaging its own tissue. In some cases, plaque may develop in the cells of the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
What to do to control: Include beans, pears, carrots, nuts and whole grains. The fiber found in these reduces inflammation.
2) Mental and physical stress
Stress has psychological effects on the body. The blood flow reaching the heart is reduced. This increases heartbeat and BP. Due to these, calcium starts getting deposited in the arteries and metabolic and heart related diseases start occurring.
What to do to control: Consuming foods made from oats, brown rice, wheat, barley etc. at least three times a day reduces the risk of heart disease by 22%.
3) High BP
High BP means that they are not responding properly to the force exerted by the blood on the artery walls. There are no initial symptoms of increased BP. This can harm the heart at any time.
What to do to control: By doing vigorous exercise for just 30 minutes every day, you can reduce BP by 5 to 8 points.
4) Cholesterol
Bad cholesterol or LDL is a type of fat found in the blood, excess amounts of which can narrow the arteries of the heart. Can block the path of blood, increasing the risk of heart attack.
What to do to control:
If you are overweight, then by reducing your weight by about 4 kg, bad cholesterol can be reduced by 8%.
Also read,
How to Maintain Heart Health
Maintaining a healthy heart is important for feeling good and living well. Here’s how you can do it:
- Eat Healthy: Fill your plate with lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. Try to avoid foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
- Move More: Get moving every day! Play outside, go for a walk, or dance around your room. Exercise keeps your heart strong.
- Sleep Well: Make sure you get enough sleep each night. Your body needs rest to stay healthy, including your heart.
- Stay Calm: Find ways to relax when you feel stressed. Take deep breaths, do things you enjoy, or talk to someone you trust.
- Don’t Smoke: Smoking is bad for your heart and lungs. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do, try to quit.
- Limit Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol isn’t good for your heart. If you choose to drink, do it in moderation.
- Check-ups: Visit your doctor regularly to make sure everything is okay. They can check your blood pressure and other things to keep your heart healthy.
Taking care of your heart isn’t hard! By eating well, staying active, sleeping enough, and keeping stress low, you can keep your heart happy and healthy for years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the heart holds a crucial role in maintaining overall health, as it serves as the central hub for blood circulation throughout the body. Even minor disturbances in its function can have profound implications, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions. While various factors contribute to heart health, these four factors directly affect the heart & its well-being: inflammation, mental and physical stress, high blood pressure (BP), and cholesterol levels.
While taking small steps like eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, managing stress, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and seeing your doctor regularly can help keep your heart healthy and strong. It’s easy to do and worth it for a longer, happier life.
Reference
Wikipedia
Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor Chairman, Interventional Cardiology Medata
