Here Are 7 Tips To Keep Your Heart Healthy

Here Are 7 Tips To Keep Your Heart Healthy - Heart disease and stroke are responsible for a quarter of deaths in Malaysia, and more young people are now being affected according to the third National Health And Morbidity Survey.

Heart disease, or more specifically, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), include diseases such as heart attack and stroke. It is caused by the build-up of fatty material (or plaque) inside your arteries over time, a process known as atherosclerosis.

When the arteries become too narrow, insufficient amounts of oxygen-rich blood cells reach the heart and muscles, causing immense pain in the chest – this is known as angina.

On the other hand, if a piece of the plaque ruptures, platelets will converge to heal the wounded area and form a blood clot.

Ultimately, the clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart, which can lead to a heart attack.

Meanwhile, a clot that blocks flow of blood to the brain causes a stroke.

There are five potentially fatal risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. These include:

1. Overweight or obesity

The risk of heart failure is 34% higher for overweight individuals and 104% higher for obese people.

Those who are overweight or obese also tend to be more prone to other CVD risk factors such as high blood cholesterol and trigly-ceride levels, high blood pressure and diabetes.

2. High blood pressure

High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and blood vessels.

Over time, the force of high blood pressure damages the artery wall.

Plaque starts to build-up at the damaged site, arteries become narrower, blood pressure increases even more, and when the plaque ruptures, clots form, and ultimately, blood flow is blocked.

3. High blood cholesterol levels

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol is the main source of artery-clogging plaque. Excess triglycerides can also raise heart disease risk.

High-density lipids (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, on the other hand, helps to prevent CVD and associated risk factors.

Poor dietary habits, being overweight/obese, and living a sedentary lifestyle are primary factors that contribute to high cholesterol levels.

Eating too much food that contain cholesterol or saturated fats is not good. But this is true for all foods; a healthy diet that is good for the heart (and body) should be balanced and full of nutritious variety.