This article was published on: 09/27/24 4:39 AM
Every year on World Heart Day, millions around the world speak out and make their voices heard about keeping hearts healthy. For sure, the heart is like the “engine” of the body, but most of us pay scant attention till we are brought face-to-face with serious heart issues such as heart attacks, ischemic strokes, or other cardiovascular disorders. At Axis Hospital, we believe that proactive care and understanding the importance of heart health is key to preventing these conditions. Let us take an informed and proactive approach this World Heart Day to guide our journey toward a healthier heart with tips on kick-starting heart-friendly habits.
Globally, heart disease is among the leading causes of death. Acute heart problems, cardiovascular illness, and heart attack could be lethal conditions. It typically arises from unhealthy lifestyles, reduced physical activity, and neglect of early warning signs. Recognizing the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes can enable timely intervention and improve outcomes.
Heart conditions often present warning signs, but unfortunately, most people are unaware of these symptoms. Below are some of the most common signs of heart attacks that you never should ignore.
For ischemic strokes, signs include an acute onset of numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, confusion, inability to speak or understand speech, loss of balance, sudden vision disturbance in one or both eyes, or sudden and severe headache. Knowing these warning signs can help you take quick action and perhaps even save a life.
Balancing or managing cardiovascular risks is one of the key ways in which people can minimize the chance of heart disease. These include monitoring crucial health factors like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Now, regular screenings, consultations with healthcare professionals, and even sometimes with a specialist, allow for close tabbing of these important metrics.
An in-depth cardiovascular health check-up by the physicians at Axis Hospital helps the individual to have an idea about his/her cardiovascular health, which can further help in making proper lifestyle decisions.
Few people know that physiotherapy can significantly contribute to improving cardiovascular fitness. Physiotherapy first comes into your mind as a treatment for orthopedic care or rehabilitating injuries, but there are benefits even for cardiac patients. Physiotherapists create specific cardiac rehab exercises that can improve the general cardiovascular health of a person and prevent any further occurrences of cardiac conditions.
Immediately after a heart-related crisis or any form of cardiac surgery, cardiac rehabilitation is offered to the patient. This is actually a medically supervised program meant to help individuals recover from their acute heart conditions and, at the same time, enhance their cardiovascular fitness.
Cardiac rehabilitation typically includes:
Cardiac rehabilitation aims to get the patients back to their usual life with higher confidence and better cardiovascular health.
The World Heart Federation has designed the World Heart Day movement where all will make lifestyle interventions for improvement in heart health. Axis Hospital advises starting with such tiny yet effective steps.
Your best bet for boosting cardiovascular fitness is regular physical activity. Heart-healthy exercises, like walking, swimming, or cycling, can lower your chances of developing heart disease. Adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week.
Cardiac rehab exercises are always specifically adapted to your particular cardiac condition and can be extremely useful if you have previously had heart problems. Even simple movements like stretching and light aerobics can improve your overall health and protect your heart.
A well-balanced diet is fundamental in maintaining healthy cardiovascular well-being. Foods that contain more omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins help a heart to maintain a healthy heart. Reducing salt and sugar intake is also crucial to prevent hypertension and high cholesterol, both of which can lead to heart disease.
Long periods of stress have always been known as one of the major causes of heart disease. Stress due to work or some other problem can also prove disastrous and lead to poor habits such as excess consumption of food, smoking, or heavy drinking. All these habits can increase the possibilities of heart disease. Practicing relaxation skills, including meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga, reduces stress and improves heart health.
Regular health check-ups are a must to understand the condition of your heart. If one is at risk or has a family history of heart conditions, checking on health regularly is a must. You can take a consultation from any cardiologist, who will advise you appropriately on the measures to protect your heart. Timely detection and treatment of heart ailments can help prevent major complications.
Here, at Axis Hospital, we believe in offering the widest range of services so that patients are on the proper road to better cardiovascular health. Through diagnoses to rehabilitation programs customized to every patient’s unique needs, we approach heart care with a holistic touch. Our panel of cardiologists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists work hand-in-hand to individually approach each patient with customized treatment plans.
We believe that heart care is not just about treatment, but also preventive care. That’s why patient education and counselling is highly emphasized to help those know the importance of heart health and how best they can manage their cardiac condition effectively.
And what best can you do to have a healthy heart? It would be through a workout routine. Whether you are an absolute beginner or coming back after cardiac surgery, the rule is, start slow and gradually increase your intensity over time. Here’s a simple guide for you:
Warm-Up (5-10 minutes): Start with some light cardio such as brisk walking or cycling to get the heart rate up.
Cardio (20-30 minutes): Recommended exercises include moderate-intensity activities like brisk walking, swimming, or using an elliptical machine, as these strengthen the heart without placing too much strain on it.
Strength Training (15-20 minutes): Engage in bodyweight exercises, like squats or lunges, and do some light resistance training to tone muscles and support the vascular system.
Cool Down (5-10 minutes): Finish your workout by doing gentle stretches to help your body wind down and get your heart beat to a normal rhythm.
Consistency is key. By following this exercise routine at least five times a week, you can significantly enhance your cardiovascular fitness and overall heart health.
This World Heart Day, take a proactive step toward improving your cardiovascular health. Whether it’s making lifestyle changes, incorporating heart-healthy exercises, or enrolling in a cardiac rehabilitation program, every effort counts. At Axis Hospital, we are committed to guiding you through your journey toward a healthier heart.
Remember, recognizing the symptoms of heart attacks and seeking early intervention can make all the difference. Join us in celebrating World Heart Day by taking charge of your heart health and empowering yourself to live a healthier, happier life.
Let Axis Hospital be your partner in this journey. Together, we can create a heart-healthy future for you and your loved ones.
