Did you know that heart disease accounts for the most deaths across the U.S. and globally? 74% of deaths in the U.S. result from 10 causes, with heart disease being the leading cause. These stark statistics are a sad reminder of the need to adopt heart-healthy choices.
Advanced Heart and Vascular of Central Jersey dives deep to unearth some facts on heart health. Here’s a peek at some truths that I hope underscore the need for a healthy heart.
1. Cholesterol Levels Affect Heart Health
A healthy heart promotes longevity. It sounds cliché, but it’s a fact. If your cholesterol levels rise, odds are you might develop heart disease. But wait, there’s more: The American Heart Association notes that unhealthy cholesterol could result in a heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, medication and healthy lifestyle choices can help lower your cholesterol levels.
2. A Good Laugh is Like Medicine for Your Heart
If you want to keep your heart in tip-top shape, a good belly laugh might do the trick. When did you last have a good laugh? Medical experts surmise that laughing stimulates the production of endorphins- hormones that add the feel-good factor to our bodies while eliminating stress. But that’s not all.
Laughing also promotes the circulating of blood in our hearts and bodies, ensuring our hearts work as required. As a result, we are at less risk of heart disease.
3. Heart Health and Dementia Are Inter-connected
Your heart and mind are like family, but I am sure you’ve already figured that out. Turns out that mental wellness and cardiovascular health are connected. Studies indicate that poor cardiac health and dementia are bedfellows! How?
Failing to make wise lifestyle choices could lead to narrowing the blood vessels in your heart. Consequently, less blood may end up in your brain. Eventually, limited blood flow inhibits your brain’s normal functions. The result is a decline in your mental faculties- decision making, memory, and reasoning.
4. A Heart-healthy Diet Promotes Vascular Health
We know that food is fuel for our bodies. But, not everything we eat is beneficial. Our focus needs to shift from filling our tummies with every imaginable treat to eating nutritious foods. For starters, we can toss out unhealthy fats. In their place, we can incorporate more vegetables and fruits. We should also consider limiting our salt intake and moderately partake in alcohol.
5. Regular Doctor’s Visits are a Boon to Heath Health
Prevention is better than cure, so goes the familiar dictum. Making regular visits to your doctor for checks can help keep your cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and other vitals in check. Simply put, a proactive approach to heart health is a surefire way to ward off disease or to ensure early detection to raise your odds of effective treatment- if the need arises.
6. Heart Cancer is a Rarity
While cardiac cancer exists, it is rare. Why? Cancer occurs when cells divide and mutate. However, cardiac cells’ specialized and intricate nature keeps them from dividing and growing.
The failure of the heart to repair or regenerate in case of damage explains the prevalence of the cardiac disease. Plus, even if abnormal cells are present in the heart, they can’t multiply fast enough to become cancerous.
7. Stress Can Cause a Broken Heart
This is an intriguing fact. In medical circles, it’s referred to as broken heart syndrome. A heart attack and broken heart syndrome have one thing in common: similar symptoms!
Whereas a heart attack occurs due to heart disease, broken heart syndrome results from increased stress hormones due to emotional or physical turmoil. Now you know why you need to take steps to manage stress.
8. A Healthy Heart Safeguards Your Hearing
The risk factors for cardiac disease are linked to your hearing as old age creeps up on you. Taking steps to enhance your heart’s health implies promoting blood supply to your ears. Efficient blood supply means averting hearing loss. I hope you get the drift.
9. Exercise and Heart Health Go Hand in Hand
The next time you kick up the dust as you blaze through the local trail, know that it’s not in vain. It’s common knowledge that you are less at risk of developing cardiovascular disease if you exercise regularly. Physical activity helps keep the risk factors for heart disease in check. These include high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
10. A Healthy Heart Keeps your Sex Life Vibrant
We’ve saved the best for last! Yep. Sex is like hitting the gym. Well, not exactly- think of it as a form of exercise and how it helps keep your blood flowing. Sex helps strengthen your heart, keeps stress at bay, and can reduce blood pressure. Still, it may improve your sleep afterward. Well, my advice is to keep the steamy sessions between the sheets going.
Ideally, I hope these facts help you realign your goals so that cardiac health takes a prime position in your life. Choose a healthy lifestyle and habits that promote your overall long-term wellbeing. After all, one life is all we got, and a healthy heart is central to it. Let’s make it count.
