Heart Health
What is Heart Disease? If you want to know what heart disease is, ask the man who invented the food we now eat. Dr. Andrew Weil defines heart disease as any condition that affects the heart or the arteries. This condition can affect the heart in any number of ways; however, Weil believes that most heart disease is preventable and that each of us can significantly improve our health by adopting a few key lifestyle changes.
What Is Heart Disease?
“Heart disease” is a term used to refer to a number of different conditions, depending on the source and what your medical practitioner tells you. In this case, we will define heart disease by the American Heart Association, which is one of the more accepted and reliable sources for medical information in the country. Here is their definition of heart disease: 1. Coronary Heart Disease The top risk factor for heart disease is coronary heart disease. Heart attacks and strokes are the two main types of coronary heart disease, but all heart disease is a type of coronary heart disease, as is atrial fibrillation. Coronary heart disease is an underlying cause of sudden death and is the leading cause of death for people ages 20 to 85.
5 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease
Luckily, doctors know the types of things we can do to protect ourselves from heart disease. Read on for the top five ways to prevent it and maintain optimal heart health.
1. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
Getting a healthy diet is key to remaining free of heart disease. You can increase your chances by eating fiber-rich foods, fruit, vegetables, oily fish, nuts, legumes, and seeds. Stay away from salty foods and those containing trans fats. Cut back on the amount of sugar-filled drinks you consume and limit the amount of meat in your diet as well.
2. Exercise Regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight is important, but physical activity is vital for good heart health. The American Heart Association provides guidelines to help you find the right amount of exercise for your lifestyle. Choose exercises that you enjoy so you’ll stick to them and commit to a regular schedule of movement.
3. Monitor Cholesterol
Too much cholesterol can block your arteries and make it hard for your heart to pump blood, so it’s important to know your numbers and keep them at a safe level. If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, talk to Dr. Shital Patel at Prime Care of Georgia in Villa Rica and ask him to best ways to reduce it.
4. Avoid Smoking
Smoking is a habit that does more bad than good for your health. It raises your triglycerides, lowers your ‘good’ cholesterol, damages cells that line the blood vessels, increases plaque buildup in the arteries, and makes blood more likely to clot. For these reasons, if you currently smoke you should make every effort to stop. If you haven’t started then you shouldn’t begin.
5. Limit and Manage Stress
It may seem easier said than done, but managing stress can go a long way in reducing your risk of heart disease. Whether you’re overeating, smoking cigarettes, or living in a state of high anxiety, all of these stressors will increase your blood pressure, which can be very dangerous. Explore breathing techniques, meditation, exercise, and mindful activities to reduce your levels of stress and seek help from our doctors at Prime Care of Georgia.
Consult a Medical Professional
Dr. Shital Patel at Prime Care of Georgia in Pooler, Georgia has provided excellent care in our community. They are fully equipped to diagnose, treat and monitor vascular diseases and conditions. They can also serve patients in a variety of languages including English, Spanish, Hindi, Gujarati, and Polish. To schedule, an appointment Contact Us or Call Us at 912-561-7001. For more general inquires, fill out the form on this page.
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