Keeping one’s heart healthy may require major lifestyle changes, but there are also small things one can do that add up to a big difference.
The results of a major study 1 indicate that over 17 million people died from cardiovascular diseases worldwide in 2017. But in at least 80% of instances, prevention is doable, as is widely recognized. Some preventative interventions, like adopting a plant-based diet, require substantial lifestyle changes. Although it is undeniably important to think about, there are a lot of other, more doable things you can do right now to start living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Step 1: Schedule a Blood Pressure Check
Do you know the reading of your blood pressure? If so, what is it? In the past few years, have you taken it in for inspection? Hypotension, or high blood pressure, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events (hypertension). On the other hand, just 20% of those who suffer from this disease ever manage to control it. Even though hypertension management could be challenging, scheduling a checkup is the first easy step. If it has been some time since your last appointment, do not delay. Anyone over the age of 40 should get their blood pressure checked every five years, with higher frequency advised for those at high risk, according to the British National Health Service. It is recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services that people over the age of 40 get six yearly exams, and that people under the age of 40 who are not at risk of hypertension get tested every three to five years. The ability to get a checkup from a pharmacy or your doctor is conditional on your location.
Step 2: walk at lunchtime
Just because you want to be more active doesn’t mean you have to start running marathons or doing intense aerobics right now. Attempting to keep up with more seasoned instructors and, more generally, intimidating gym surroundings can be daunting for beginners. Experts say that all it takes to start seeing results is seven short walks; after that, you’ll only feel the benefits more and more. When one walks for seven days at an average speed of three kilometers per hour—roughly eight kilometers—the risk of cardiovascular events drops by about a third. Walking at this level reduces the danger of mortality by around one-third if an event occurs, similar to the preceding point. A fifteen- to twenty-minute lunchtime walk, a video yoga session, or some exercises in the garden are already great places to start, and you may always decide to step up your fitness regimen later on.
Step 3: Get Enough Sleep
You can finish this stage while you sleep if you discover that the heart-healthy advantages of exercise require less effort than you had expected. Getting a good night’s sleep is often associated with a feeling of renewed energy and enhanced mental clarity. Conversely, your heart needs sleep at night just like your brain. Results from a 2019 study showed that the risk of myocardial infarction was 20% greater in participants whose nightly sleep duration was fewer than six hours. The danger was 34% higher for those who slept for too long. The scientific community agrees that seven to nine hours of sleep nightly is optimal for cardiovascular health.
Step 4: Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Two minutes of thorough tooth brushing before bed and again first thing in the morning are recommended. The risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke is three times higher in people who do not engage in this habit, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the United States. Researchers concluded that there is no downside to maintaining good dental health due to the strong correlation between the two and the positive effects on cardiovascular health. Regardless, the study failed to establish a causal relationship between regular tooth brushing and a decrease in risk variables.
Step 5: Check Your Family History
I was hoping you could tell me if there’s a history of heart disease or stroke in your family. If that’s the case, it might put you at a higher risk for cardiovascular incidents, but it doesn’t mean you’ll have one. If you’re still confused, it’s a good idea to check with your parents, siblings, and grandparents to see if they have any knowledge.
The head of BIOTRONIK’s training and education department, Dr. Ilka Neumann, says, “In particular, talk to your doctor about anyone who dies before the age of sixty, particularly an individual who passes away from a heart attack or stroke.” The statement states that “Predispositions to cardiovascular disease could therefore be highlighted based on lifestyle factors, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, or a risk of sudden cardiac death, which could be hereditary.”
Dr. Neumann advises that you jot down this information and bring it up at your next appointment with your doctor. He can then create a risk profile and suggest safeguards to protect against it.