Lifestyle Tips To Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases: The health of your heart, one of the most vital organs in the human body, should be considered a top priority while considering your overall health. Maintaining a healthy heart is key to preventing cardiovascular disease. Heart-healthy living means understanding your risks, making healthy choices and taking required steps to reduce the risks of developing heart disease.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Kaushik Mukherjee, HOD – Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) and Senior Cardiac Consultant, DESUN Hospital, Kolkata listed some lifestyle tips to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Here are 5 simple lifestyle tips to keep your heart healthy:

Lifestyle Tips To Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases

1. Having a healthy diet

Diet plays a critical role in minimising the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is advisable to have a balanced diet with fruits, green leafy vegetables, lentils, protein-rich eggs and milk instead of junk and processed food. Avoiding excessive oily foods and snacks will also keep lipid levels low. Meals can be planned as per an individual’s nutritional needs. Foods, including leafy greens, whole grains, and fatty fish, lower your risk of heart disease.

2. Active lifestyle and exercise

Having a healthy life would also imply adding physical activity to your daily routine. Exercising for 30-45 minutes a day, going for morning and evening walks, and some light cardio training and stretching go a long way in keeping you fit and your heart healthy. For cardiac patients, it is advisable to walk distances to be in rhythm and remain active. In addition, it is crucial to tackle obesity and avoid complications like diabetes, and high blood pressure.

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3. Managing stress and lifestyle modification

Stress and other external factors will always have a direct impact on your health. It is vital that we don’t let these things get to us. As individuals, we should take control and work on our emotional well-being before it gets the better of our hearts. It is important to converse with your friends and family and achieve an optimum work-life balance. Steer clear of alcohol, smoking or any such addictive substances.

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4. Adequate relaxation and sleep

Sleep for a minimum of eight hours is the mantra for a healthy heart. Being sleep-deprived has a direct effect on your heart health, as lack of sleep increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, adequate sleep is crucial for regulating the circadian rhythms of our brain and helps us to stay fit, fresh and energetic throughout the day. Stay healthy and continue a sustainable lifestyle to keep your body, mind and soul happy.

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5. Regular checkups and screening

Besides ensuring all of the above, individuals must get checked at regular intervals and adhere to the medications as prescribed by their doctor. This should include blood tests, ECG, ECHO and a treadmill test along with a CT Coronary Angiogram if the doctor advises. Monitor your blood pressure and sugar levels constantly, and when in doubt, the best practice is to always reach out to your doctor or physician.