The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 31% of deaths worldwide, roughly 17.5 million, result from cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases or CVDs involve the heart and the blood vessels. Of that 17.5 million, 80% are due to heart attacks and strokes – the world’s leading cause of death.
For many people, these are just numbers – until it happens to them or to someone they know.
Protect Your Heart
Cardiovascular diseases take many forms, such as coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, and rheumatic heart disease. These may present as a rise in blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. It may also be in the form of obesity or being overweight.
One of the reasons for the rise of incidents involving cardiovascular diseases is the way people lead their lives. Reverehealth.com says there’s evidence to suggest that stress may affect health. A sedentary lifestyle isn’t any better. A lot of jobs today involve sitting down for the rest of the day, working on computers and having little physical activity. It’s the nature of the job and there’s nothing you can do, right?
Actually, there is.
A Necessary Change
About 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Even a 30-minute physical activity every day can make a big difference. For best results, combine that with a healthy diet that involves plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and a controlled intake of salt. Alcohol should also be taken in moderation, and tobacco must be avoided entirely.
All forms of tobacco products are harmful – cigarettes, pipes, chewable tobacco, and even second-hand exposure. All of these are preventive measures, but an important aspect is consulting health professionals who specialize in cardiology. Lehi offers a variety of clinics that can provide expertise in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. They can assess your risk factors and give you appropriate advice on how to manage them.
When it comes to your heart, it is always best to take appropriate measures to keep it healthy. Modernity may have given us a way to do our jobs with very little physical effort, but it also provided us with access to information about so many issues. That includes how to take care of our health. So use the information and live a longer and healthier life.
