Cardiologist holding heart
No one wants to be a statistic, and when it comes to heart health, the statistics are astounding.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 5 deaths in the United States are caused by heart disease.
Everyone wants a healthy heart , but how do you know if you have one? The good news is that it's very easy for you to understand the basics of heart health, even without a doctor (although talk to your doctor if you're concerned). Learn what cardiologists say about the key signs of a healthy heart, as well as other indicators and ways to improve your cardiovascular health.
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Signature No. 1 Healthy heart
According to cardiologists, your ability to perform cardiovascular exercise is actually the best indicator of your heart health.
“The heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body, carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells that need it,” said Dr. Cheng Han Chen, board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program. at MemorialCare Saddleback. Parade Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. "When the heart is healthy and functioning well, the body can function well even after vigorous activity. An important sign that a person has a healthy enough heart is their ability to exercise at a high level of intensity without causing symptoms such as a short heart attack. The appearance of wheezing or chest pain .”
In other words, if you can do a HIIT workout without feeling like you're dying, you're in good shape.
Ricardo F. Wright, a board-certified cardiologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, agrees that if you can exercise easily without shortness of breath or chest pain, you're probably fine, but there are risks. . Others can affect your heart health.
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What are other signs of a healthy heart?
According to Dr Wright and Dr Chen, apart from being able to exercise easily, other signs of a healthy heart include:
Slim waist (although your core size may vary)
Healthy blood pressure levels
Healthy blood sugar levels
Healthy cholesterol levels
Health and regulation of heart rhythm
Healthy kidney function
Of course, the best way to know what your heart health should be like is to consult a doctor and have a medical examination.
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What are the signs of poor heart health?
On the other hand, signs of poor heart health may be difficult to detect because they may be symptoms of other problems. According to Dr. Chen, the most common symptoms of serious heart disease include:
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Other signs of poor heart health can be surprising. Including:
If you experience these symptoms , see your doctor as soon as possible to get checked and make sure you are on the right track or need help with your heart health.
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What can you do for heart health?
Sometimes the simple answer is the right answer, says Dr. Wright.
“The best way to improve heart health is to get off the couch, walk and take the stairs,” he said.
Dr. Chen agrees, and you don't have to pay for a gym membership to get the benefits of exercise.
“The best thing anyone can do to improve their heart health is to start exercising,” says Dr. Sapir. “Even if you don't have time for vigorous exercise, even a short 10-minute walk a day can perk you up. the right path." For a healthy heart.”
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In addition to exercise, your doctor or cardiologist can help you develop a plan to improve your overall heart health.
Eat less red meat
Eat more fish
Eat foods that are low in saturated and trans fats
Limit your sodium intake
Limit foods high in added sugar
Limit consumption of processed foods
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
quit smoking
Avoid secondhand smoke
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
Reduce calories to maintain a healthy weight
Eat foods that are low in cholesterol
Stress management (exercise is great for this too!).
Maintain a healthy sleep schedule
Taking prescribed medications
Later, cardiologists discovered the habitual number. 1 Worse for heart health