How to take care of your heart: Valentine's Day edition

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day for anyone to reflect on their heart health. As much as it is important to look after your heart, it is equally important to show concern for your loved ones by keeping them in loop.

Heart is the most important organ in the human body as it pumps blood throughout, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues as well as getting rid of carbon dioxide and relative waste.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death all across the globe, accounting up to 17.9 million lives each year.

It’s crucial to look after your heart, being the most important organ in your body. This Valentine’s Day, strive to achieve what you have always wanted, a healthy heart beat!

Here’s a quick rundown on the steps you can take to keep your heart healthy:

Consuming healthy foods

It is very important to consume healthy foods to ensure health of your heart. A balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

These foods help in guarding against inflammation, higher cholesterol levels. However, keeping sodium, saturated fats, and sugars at bay is also crucial.

Regular exercise is the key to a healthy heart

Physical activity is considered equally important in keeping your heart healthy as it helps in creating a healthy routine. It improves circulation as the American Heart Association recommends a total of 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week.

Quit smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart failure. It destroys arterial lining, building up layers of fats. Quitting smoking is the best way to upgrade your lifestyle.

Prioritise sleep

Sleep is also considered as one of the most crucial causes of cardiovascular disease. According to the Behavioral scientist Brooke Aggarwal of the Department of Medicine in Cardiology at Columbia University Vagelos, College of Physicians and Surgeons, "Sleep is taking its rightful place as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”

It’s therefore important to take a sound sleep of nine hours, keeping away from all distractions at night.

Take charge of your heart

It’s important to know your numbers that could affect your heart in any way. Schedule regular checkups with health care professionals to assess cardiovascular risk indicators.

In order to conclude however, it’s important to keep a check on your heart. Since February is considered as the American Heart month, it’s important to know your priorities.

This Valentine’s Day, put your heart first and look around to offer help to your loved ones.