Snneha Lukaa
What is Heart Disease?
Heart Disease can be described as a condition that affects your heart; it mainly refers to issues and deformities in the heart.
Types of Heart Diseases
Congenital heart disease: This relates to some deformities in the heart that are present since birth; it includes septal defects, obstruction defects and cyanotic heart disease.
Arrhythmia: This means irregular heartbeat, meaning that it occurs when electrical impulses in the heart that coordinate do not function well. The condition causes the heart to beat either too fast or too slow.
Coronary artery disease: The coronary arteries in the body are responsible for supplying nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscles.
Heart failure: This condition occurs when heart does not pump blood around the body efficiently.
Pulmonary stenosis: This condition occurs when the pulmonary valve becomes too tight, making it difficult for the heart pump blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery.
Symptoms of heart disease
Common symptoms of an underlying heart disease include:
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- Weakness or feeling very tired
- Rapid or irregular heart beats
- Pain in arm, chest or below the breastbone
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or feeling light-headed
Causes of heart disease
The below lifestyle and health conditions can lead to heart disease
- Smoking
- Stress
- Drug abuse
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Intake of dietary supplements and herbal remedies
- Excessive intake of alcohol or caffeine
- Connective tissue disorder
Risk factors that can cause heart disease are:
- Poor diet
- Family history
- Ageing increases the risk of damaging and narrowing arteries
- Obesity
- Stress
- Poor hygiene
Foods to consume to prevent heart disease
Berries: Berries such as strawberry, raspberry, blue berries are jam-packed with nutrients and also contain antioxidants that help in maintaining healthy heart.
Fish oil: Fish oil has proved to reduce triglycerides that help in improving arterial function and decrease blood pressure. Also, consumption of fatty fish is also considered to be a good choice as fishes like salmon, sardines are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely good for the heart.
Dark chocolate: Rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, dark chocolate helps in boosting heart health.
Almonds: Almonds are good source of monounsaturated fats and fiber that are important nutrients that help in prevention of heart disease. They also contain important vitamins and minerals that are crucial for healthy heart.
Seeds: Seeds like chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds are great sources of healthy-heart nutrients including fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Foods to avoid to prevent heart disease
- Avoid fried and junk food
- Avoid processed foods containing vegetable shortening
- Remove poultry skin and eat only the meat
- Reduce intake of refined sources of carbohydrates with higher glycaemic indices.
- Avoid salty food and always check on the sodium content in the food and choose foods with low sodium content
Steps to undertake to prevent heart disease
- Quit smoking and alcohol
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat healthy food
- Practice good hygiene
- Control health conditions like blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol
- Don’t include too much of fat and saturated food in your diet