OCTOBER 30, 2023 HEART HEALTH

As a cardiologist I always talk about heart health. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and what you eat can significantly impact your heart health. To protect your heart you need to make some definite lifestyle changes. The first one is a change in Dietary Lifestyle. The second a change in exercise lifestyle

There are many dietary lifestyles out there You have to adhere to one of them. The Mediterranean diet is often hailed as a heart-healthy superstar. Originating from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, this diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and, most importantly, olive oil. Olive oil is a significant component, packed with monounsaturated fats that help lower bad cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. The diet also emphasizes the consumption of nuts, which are another excellent source of healthy fats. I feel this is a HEART HEALTHY DIET. You must know you need to avoid with any lifestyle dietary change the simple ‘ white ‘ carbohydrates.

Another dietary change is following The DASH Diet The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is a well-researched and highly recommended eating plan for lowering high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease. One of the key features of the DASH diet is its focus on reducing sodium intake. Lowering sodium can have an immediate and lasting effect on blood pressure levels

I feel you cannot just do one dietary change I believe incorporating the best of all these dietary recommendations. If you now add 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week, you are beginning to get Heart Healthy. The 30 minutes 3 x /week decreases the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 38 %

So get up from the couch and start exercising.

Until tomorrow…