Aside from the mistaken belief that stroke and heart attack are conditions that only affect the elderly,another reason why people have a hard time as well as do not put much attention to taking care of the heart is the thinking that “taking care” usually means rigorous exercises and bland, tasteless food. In truth, however, taking care of your heart need not be the harrowing experience some people make it to be. For one, you can actually take care of your heart without having to give up some of the things that you love.
If you are a coffee drinker, then we have some good news for you. Several studies in the past have proven that drinking coffee can actually help in preventing certain heart conditions, albeit not in a direct way. Women who drink coffee, regardless if it is decaf or regular, tend to face lower risks for type II diabetes. This is because coffee is known to slow down the digestive process while promoting healthy blood sugar level. You can up this a notch by drinking plenty of water. Based on studies about the relationship of water with heart conditions, tap water is more effective in lowering risks for certain heart conditions as opposed to bottled water.
Dark chocolates have also been known to be good for the heart for quite some time now. Based on a number of researches,dark chocolates are known to lower blood pressure as well as decrease the risk for a heart attack. Aside from dark chocolates, pop corn is also recommended as its rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are considered heart-friendly antioxidants.
A number of studies have also proven that having a healthy social life can help lower the risk of an individual developing heart diseases. One theory is that being around people you like can help improve your mood and keep you with a positive attitude. This, in turn, helps you deal better with stress. In the same line, people who work too much tend to have higher risks for heart attack as well as coronary death. If possible, maintain an 8-hour work shift. This allows your body to have enough rest.
In relation to rest, having enough sleep is also one of the most recommended ways to make sure that your heart is healthy. You have to remember that it is only during sleep that our body is able to repair itself. A sleep session that lasts somewhere between 6 to 8 hours should be enough. In most cases, your body would let you know when it is already worn out and is in dire need of rest. Be sure to listed to it.
Just to be on the safe side, if you or any member of your family poses a high risk for heart attack or cardiac arrest, you need to make sure that you have an AED in place. This would help ensure that you would be able to assist them should they suffer an attack. You might also want to consider undergoing a CPR certification program so that you would be able to provide assistance even if you do not have an AED.
