Matter of the Heart

Could Cardiovascular disease become the No#1 killer / Doctor's say 90% of 

these cases are preventable.
From 210 to 2012 Online Surveys conducted over this three year period found 

that over Seventy percent of the urban population in cities suffer from 

cardiovascular diseases. Erratic lifestyles, stress from work, lack of physical
exercise, bad eating habits are but a few of the contributing factors. 

The age of those starting to suffer from the disease has gone down lower to 

forty years and below. The death of well know celebrities brings this to the 

forefront and makes itrecognizable. Most medical say that ninety percent of 

these cases are preventable. See below:

Do a screening:
Since most risk factors are silent, have your bp and cholesterol checked you 

may never know if it is on the rise.
The doctor will recommend at least once in two years from age twenty onwards. 

Get a weight, bodymass index and waist size also checked at each regular checkup. 

At least once in five years check your cholesterol and after forty five years 

for a man and fifty years for a woman MORE FREQUENTLY. Blood glucose tests 

should be done every three years for both men and women. Talk to 

your general practitioner if you have difficulty in doing an activity, unusual 

fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath and indigestion.

Yoga food for the soul:
Exercises that involve breating such as yoga meditation taichi . Keeping stress 

down is important for a healthy heart.
Studys show that by keeping stress down you can avoid your bp going up, over 

eating and gaining weight due to anxiety. Keep stress in check and you will help 

yourself have a healthy heart.

Keep moving around more:
If you cannot squeeze in 45 minutes to an hour in your busy schedule, try to do 

fifteen  minutes walks or at least  five 10 minute 

walks a day. Walking more and just moving more can have a dramatic effect on your 

health, as research shows this could be equal to 

a 45-60 minute aerobics workout. It is easier to accumulate small steps throughout 

the day than to do a full workout at the gym. 

Start by taking the steps instead of the elevator, park your car a little further 

than you normally do while going to the mall or work. 

Stop smoking:
Quit you will not only help your lungs but your heart too. Even a few cigarettes 

a day increases your chances of getting cardiovascular disease.

Women during their pregnancy days:
Studies show that certain conditions during pregnancy could predict the risk of 

heart disease. Preemclampsia during
pregnancy doubles the risk for heart disease and stroke over the next five to ten 

years. High blood pressure, gastational diabetes, and high blood sugar during 

pregnancy, are a risk factor for heart disease, hypertention, and diabetes in the 

future. So even after pregnancy continue to monitor your health.

Watch for the attack signs: 
Mid chest pain radiating out of the left arm and shoulder are the classical  signs 

of a heart attach for men. These signs may occur too for women but generally they 

have more subtle symptoms , which include  indigestion back, neck, and even jaw 

pain. If you experience these symptoms call your doctor immediately.

The Sun tank up on it:
Essential for a healthy heart Vitamin D. Between five minutes to thirty minutes of 

the sun from 10.00am to 3.00pm on you face arms legs and back should suffice to 

get your quota of Vitamin D which is a hormone that manages your calcium which 

benefits your body which impacts 

not only your bones  muscles and tissues too. The ideal level is 20ng/ml. 

Vitamin D and calcium can help improve weight loss which is another benefit to 

your heart.