The heart is considered to be an important major organ. One of the reasons for this is the fact that it is the only organ in the body that has a self-starting clump of cell. Aside from this, it is also the heart that is considered to be responsible for ensuring that needed oxygen and other minerals are distributed properly to other organs. That being the case, it comes as no surprise that majority of medical professionals put much emphasis on keeping a healthy lifestyle in order to keep the heart going.
Now, when it comes to taking care of your heart, you need to, first, make sure that you are aware of the different factors that could increase your risk for a heart disease. One of these factors is what is known as Metabolic Syndrome.
Understanding Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome is actually the term used y medical professionals to describe a group of metabolic factors that could significantly increase your risk for heart diseases. In order to be diagnosed for metabolic syndrome, you would need to be positive for at least three of the following:
- A waist circumference of more than 40 inches in men, and more than 35 inches in women
- A triglyceride level of more than 150 mg/dL
- An HDL of no more than 40 mg/dL in men, or lower than 50 mg/dL in women
- A systolic blood pressure of at least 130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 85 mm Hg or more
- Fasting glucose level of no less than 100 mg/ dL
What happens now?
The best way to deal with metabolic syndrome is to make lifestyle changes. This could include:
1. Regular exercise
It may sound cliche but exercising at least 30 minutes each day can actually lower your risk for a number of heart diseases. This is because exercise has been known to lower blood pressure while improving your cholesterol level. Now, your exercise regimen need not be a strenuous one. In fact, by just doing brisk walking on a regular basis, you are already able to control your risk for a heart attack.
2. Healthy diet
For most people, healthy diet would mean bland and boring food. This does not have to be the case. What you can do is just make sure that you have the right balance between each food groups. Generally, you would need to have a meal that is low on trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; while having bigger portions of vegetables and fruits as well as beans and whole grains. If you are not sure on how to go about this, you can always seek the help of a dietitian.
3. No smoking
If you are a smoker, make sure that you quit. Not only is smoking bad for your lungs, it can also help increase the risk for diseases concerning the blood vessel and the hear. Quitting smoking does not have to be immediate if you are not up to it. You can choose to do so gradually.
If you think you or someone near you is at risk for a number of heart diseases that could lead to a cardiac arrest or a heart attack, make sure that you have an AED unit on hand. It would also be a good idea to make sure that you undergo a CPR training.
