Stay Well by Keeping Your Heart Healthy

Keeping our hearts healthy is one of the best things we can do for our overall health. It is the most important muscle in our bodies. We can’t exist without it. There are many different types of heart issues. We will explore different heart issues and what we can do to keep our hearts healthy.

What are the Different Types of Heart Ailments?

According to WebMD.com, there are numerous different types of heart ailments, each has different symptoms. Here are some of the most common types of heart issues.

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This is one of the most common types of heart issues. Those who have CAD may suffer from blockages in the vessels that provide blood to the heart. When they are clogged, it can lead to atherosclerosis, chest pain, angina, and heart attack.
• Heart Arrhythmia: Those with heart arrhythmia have hearts that beat irregularly.
• Heart Failure: Heart failure occurs when your heart doesn’t pump blood properly. It is usually caused by coronary artery disease, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and various other conditions.
• Heart Valve Disease: Every heart has four valves that open and close to direct the body’s blood flow. When they don’t open and close properly, the blood flow is blocked. Heart valve issues can be caused by various factors like high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, or following a heart attack.

Several other heart issues can plague adults, but these are some of the most common heart ailments.

Keeping Your Heart Healthy:

For good health, you need to take care of your heart. Here are some tips from Healthline.com, to keep your heart healthy and functioning properly.

• Don’t smoke, and if you do, stop immediately. Smoking is a controllable risk factor; those who smoke have a higher risk of developing heart disease.
• Lose belly fat. It can lead to high blood pressure and high lipid levels.
• Get a calming habit. Knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, or other calming activities can relieve stress, which is good for your heart.
• Eat more antioxidant foods: Eating antioxidant-rich foods like beans, salsa, oats, barley, and apples. Getting plenty of fiber can also help reduce bad cholesterol.
• Exercise frequently. Whether you choose dancing, walking, taking a yoga class, or enjoying more aggressive activities. Make a point of getting some exercise every day.
• Have a glass of red wine. Moderate alcohol intake can help raise levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.
• Have a good doctor available. If you have heart issues, ensure that you have access to a great cardiologist like Dr. Ian Weisberg.

Don’t Forget Annual Check-Ups:

One of the most important things you can do to maintain overall well-being is to get annual health check-ups. This ensures that you are in good overall health, or gives you the opportunity to make changes to get back on track. It’s never too late to change bad habits!