7 Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy and Happy

One of the most important organs in your body is your heart. If your heart stops functioning, your body starts to gradually shut down. The body's most vital organ, the heart pumps blood, eliminates metabolic waste, and distributes oxygen and nutrition. Veins, arteries, and the heart make up the cardiovascular system. Any dysfunction or abnormality in the heart will have drastic consequences on human health. Your heart does a lot for you every day, therefore you should do everything in your power to look after it.

Are You at the Risk of a Heart Disease?

Anyone can get heart disease but you may be at a higher risk if you”

1. Do not exercise much
2. Do not eat healthy
3. Have high blood pressure or cholesterol
4. Smoke frequently
5. Overweight or obese

There are various other factors as well that affect the heart condition such as age, family history and so forth. While we may not know what will happen tomorrow, there is so much to do to remain prepared. Of course, when it is about health, it is suggested to be secured with a health insurance policy.

Effective Ways to Keep Heart Health in 2023

Here’s a quick rundown of the tips that are effective in the long run to keep your heart healthy and happy:

1. Do Not Smoke: Smoking is injurious to health and is something that we all have heard for some time. If you are a regular smoker, your chances are more for a heart ailment. Even if you do not smoke, stay away from secondhand smoke. The chemicals used in tobacco can damage the heart vessels. Smoking cigarettes lowers the oxygen in blood leading to an increased heart rate and blood pressure.
2. Consume a Healthy Diet: It is essential to eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, etc. Limit added sugar, saturated fat, highly refined carbohydrates, processed food and sodium intake in your diet. Remember, it is not about what you eat but more importantly how much you eat. So, be careful with the portion size.
3. Sleep Properly: Having a good and sound sleep has various health benefits. It leads to the healing of blood vessels and tissues, better brain function, a stronger immune system and so forth. Having ample sleep also helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. In general as well, we should get sleep of 7-8 hours for our overall well-being. Children usually need more hours of sleep.
4. Regular Health Checkups: Ensure that once every three to six months preventive health checkups are done. A regular screening is beneficial to help you identify your health condition so that you can action accordingly. Get tested for cholesterol level, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. With the medical report, consult a doctor if required and also make changes in your lifestyle. Also, check the benefits of health insurance if the plan offers a cover for health checkups or not.
5. Physical Activity: Regular physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease. It also helps to control the body weight and other conditions that otherwise may put the body under strain such as high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, etc. In case you haven’t been active in a while, start working towards slowly. You can also consider taking up activities such as taking the stairs, gardening, walking after lunch, and so forth.
6. Manage Stress: Stress plays a key role in higher blood pressure and different risk factors. There are times when people intentionally or unintentionally have other ways to cope with ways that are unhealthy. This includes overeating, too much sugar consumption, etc. Inculcate healthy habits in your daily routine such as meditation, yoga, or some physical activity. At any point in time, when stress becomes overwhelming consult a doctor and get a treatment.
7. Prevent Infections: You might not be aware that some infections can occasionally result in cardiac issues. A blood vascular infection may result from gum disease. Therefore, you should floss and clean your teeth at least twice a day, every day. As for oral hygiene, see a dentist once a year.

The Bottom Line

Just like with financial investments, making minor adjustments today might have a significant impact later on. Making healthy behaviors will help you live a worry-free life in the long term when it comes to heart health. On this World Heart Day, make sure to do things to keep your heart healthy so you can live a longer, happier life. Stay Heart-healthy!   *Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.