Since the coronavirus outbreak, the number of heart attacks seems to be increasing. Experts say a sedentary lifestyle, increased stress and poor eating habits may also be affecting cardiovascular health, although the effects of the virus and coronavirus vaccines are not yet understood. It says that there is a sex. Taking steps to improve heart function can not only prevent events such as heart attacks and cardiac arrest, but also improve your overall quality of life. To prevent heart health problems, it's important to be aware of the signs of an unhealthy heart and take steps to correct them. If you experience shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, or fatigue, consult a health care professional to determine if you have a problem with your heart health. (Also read | Heart Health Mistakes to Avoid in Summer, Tips for Cardiovascular Health)
A sedentary lifestyle and reliance on processed and junk food may be perhaps the biggest lifestyle factors affecting our overall health. Low in nutrients, low in fiber, and high in sugar and salt, these foods can damage your heart, kidneys, and liver and increase your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Is COVID-19 affecting our minds?
“The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on global health, exposing a myriad of issues that go beyond the direct impact of the virus itself. It also includes a worrying trend regarding heart health: Rather than people having heart attacks in the absence of typical artery blockages, these events are causing blood clots to form throughout the body. This is thought to be due to the inflammatory nature of COVID-19 infection, which can accelerate the risk of infection,” said Dr. Ajit Menon, senior interventional cardiac specialist. Reliance Foundation Hospital.
Possible effects of the new coronavirus vaccine on the heart
“While some have claimed that these complications are due to COVID-19 vaccines, there is a lack of evidence to support this claim.On the contrary, vaccines can reduce the severity of the pandemic and save lives.” However, looking at the broader picture, this situation is fraught with risk factors for heart disease that go beyond the immediate threat of COVID-19,” says Dr. Menon. .
Modern lifestyle and heart disease
The increased incidence of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events may be a combination of various factors, including stress, poor diet, and sedentary behavior.
“Stress has a measurable negative effect on the body, although it is difficult to quantify, exacerbating existing risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes. While deficiencies and an unhealthy diet may make things worse, and COVID-19 may have increased these risks, heart health conditions are not the only cause and require a holistic approach. “It's important to be aware of and focus on lifestyle modifications and preventive measures to protect your cardiovascular health,” the expert added.
signs of an unhealthy heart
According to Dr. Menon, the signs of an unhealthy heart to look out for are:
Chest discomfort: This manifests as tightness, tightness, and pain in the chest, which can spread to the arms, back, neck, and jaw.
shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially when exercising or lying down, can indicate an underlying heart problem.
Malaise: If you continue to feel tired even after getting enough rest, it could be a warning sign of heart disease.
Dizziness or lightheadedness: Feeling dizzy or faint, especially when standing, may indicate insufficient blood flow to the brain.
swelling: Edema or swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen may indicate heart failure or other cardiovascular problems.
Change your lifestyle to improve your heart health
To improve your heart health and reduce your risk of heart disease, consider making the following lifestyle changes suggested by Dr. Menon.
Regular exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
Adopt a balanced diet: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while minimizing processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars.
quit smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, so seek support and resources to help you quit for good.
stress management: Practice stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing techniques, and yoga to reduce the negative effects of chronic stress.
monitor blood pressure and cholesterol: Track your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly and work with your healthcare provider to keep them within healthy ranges.
control diabetes: If you have diabetes, carefully manage your blood sugar levels through medication, diet, exercise, and regular monitoring.
limit salt intake: Excessive salt intake can increase blood pressure, so aim to reduce your salt intake by cooking at home with fresh ingredients and avoiding processed foods that are high in salt.
Check out Hindustan Times website and app for all the latest lifestyle news on fashion, Taylor Swift, health, festivals, travel, relationships, recipes and more every day.