A healthy heart is very important for general health. The heart constantly pumps blood through the body without you being aware of it. After all, the heart has to pump the blood through the small and large circulatory system. If your heart does not work properly, we speak of heart disease or heart disease. You should carefully monitor the health of your heart. A healthy life with sufficient exercise is a real necessity. In serious conditions, heart specialists have already advanced so far that many heart diseases can be properly treated.
The function of the heart
The heart is a large muscle located in the center of the chest. The heart’s job is to permanently pump blood around the body. The pumping of blood in the body happens automatically. The blood contains all kinds of important substances that are needed in certain places in the body. Examples of this are oxygen in the lungs and building materials in your intestines. Substances that the body does not need are also removed through the blood. The heart starts beating from the seventh week in the mother’s womb, and this continuously until death. Heart diseases or abnormalities occur when the structure of the heart is not completely normal, or the heart does not function smoothly.
Heart and vascular disease
If the heart does not function smoothly, a cardiovascular disease may be the cause. Various diseases can be distinguished. Congenital heart defects can also be diagnosed.
- Myocardial infarction : Over time, blood clots or fatty deposits can form in the coronary arteries. If these clots completely block the coronary arteries, the heart can no longer function properly due to oxygen deficiency and cell death, resulting in a heart attack.
- Vasoconstriction : vasoconstriction is well known in peripheral vessels such as in the legs. People sometimes also talk about display legs.
- Disruption of heart rhythm : if the stimulation of the heart muscle is disturbed, this can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, which in turn can lead to cardiac arrest
- In addition, there may be congenital heart defects due to disturbed development of the heart and blood vessels. Examples of this are holes between the heart chambers or atria, abnormalities of the heart valves or narrowing of the coronary artery or aorta.
Tips for a healthy heart
A healthy heart and healthy blood vessels are very important for general health. After all, they ensure that the human body is supplied with building materials and oxygen. There are all kinds of ways to get and keep your heart in top condition. It is up to you to monitor the health of your heart and blood vessels.
Healthy food is of great importance
Healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fiber are essential for the proper functioning of the heart. They protect the heart and keep the tissue around it in top condition. Healthy foods include salmon, walnuts, oatmeal and so on. It is also important to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The perfect vegetables are broccoli, spinach, tomatoes. In terms of fruit types, preference is given to citrus fruits and blueberries.
Get enough sleep for a healthy heart
Many activities outside your profession make your life tiring. Still, enough sleep is a must. It is recommended to aim for eight hours of sleep per night. Too little sleep is a good breeding ground for digestive and heart problems. These in turn can be the harbinger of even more diseases such as diabetes and depression.
Source: US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Movement, movement, movement
To keep the heart healthy you need to exercise a lot. Exercising two to three hours a week reduces the risk of potential cardiovascular disease. Exercise at a lower intensity is even better than exercising very intensively. Athletes who train very intensively develop more scars around the heart than people who train less hard.
Stress is a real culprit
A healthy heart and stress absolutely do not go together. To avoid stress, you can practice yoga, breathe deeply and try to connect yourself with nature. Outdoor activity reduces the number of stress hormones in your body and lowers blood pressure. Avoiding stress will also have a positive effect on your mood.
What if healthy living doesn’t help?
Despite all attempts to live a healthy life, in some cases it may not be enough to prevent cardiovascular disease. Your GP or specialist will then decide how you will best be treated. He may then decide to prescribe blood pressure lowering or other medicines. In some cases, medication will not be sufficient and surgical intervention is necessary to prevent worsening. Heart specialists have advanced so far that many heart diseases can be effectively treated. Heart surgery is very well regarded in the Low Countries. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw hospital in Aalst (Belgium) is one of the world’s best in heart surgery.
