"Heart disease" is an umbrella term for a number of heart conditions. One of these conditions is coronary artery disease, excessive plaque buildup in the arteries that deliver oxygenated blood to your heart tissues. When these arteries get too narrow or clogged up, your heart doesn't get the fuel it needs to do its job. This condition may lead to angina, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and eventually result in heart attack.Important risk factors for heart disease that you can do something about are:
Try new moves
Physical activity, and the more the better. The new measure says at least 30 minutes a day or 5 times a week of moderate-intensity exercise is necessary for ideal health.
High Blood Pressure - Breathe deeper
You can lower your blood pressure by taking 10 breaths per minute (instead of the usual 16 to 19) for 15 minutes a day over two months, studies show. Researcher says, shallow breathing (more beats per minute) may delay your body's excretion of salt, a high-blood-pressure trigger.
BMI Index
A healthy body mass index (BMI), an estimate of body fat determined by a formula using weight and height.
High blood cholesterol
Total cholesterol of less than 200 milligrams/deciliter.
Diabetes
Fasting blood glucose less than 100 milligrams/deciliter, a fasting measure of blood sugar level.
Smoking
Smoking can lead to coronary heart disease and abdominal aortic aneurysms (widening and weakening of the body’s main artery), and may double the risk of stroke. Smoking also raises the risk of peripheral vascular disease, which is the narrowing of blood vessels that carry blood to the arms and legs, as well as to the stomach and kidneys.
Foods to Fuel Your Body
Eating the right combination of fresh produce, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy will give your body the energy it needs, protect you from chronic diseases, and may even whittle down your waist.
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