Healthy Heart ! Healthy You !

According to recent studies heart problems are rapidly growing among our population which is really very alarming.More and more people are coming in the range of developing such problems due to poor diets, changes in our life style, stress and pollution.Are we taking our health seriously ? No, certainly not.Do not ignore one of your most important & sensitive organ of your body - Your HEART.Here are few steps to reduce the risk of heart diseases and live long and healthy life. 1 STAY ACTIVE-- Involve yourself in any kind of activity or exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. You can use stairs,walk for small distance,play any game,household work or gardening. 2 MONITOR YOUR WEIGHT,BP,BLOOD SUGAR,CHOLESTEROL LEVELS -- Overweight people are at greater risk of having high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases. 3 REDUCE OIL CONSUMPTION-- Reduce use of saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol e.g. butter, ghee ,fast food. Take healthy foods like oats, soya bean, olive oil etc. 4 DE-STRESS YOURSELF-- Too much stress can be one of the reason for heart disease.Take short breaks every hour or two.Do pranayam and yogic exercises regularly. Spend good time with your family and friends. 5 AVOID WHITES AND EMBRACE BROWNS-- Reduce the intake of carbohydrates like white bread, sugar,rice,increased salt.Use whole grains,oatmeal,brown rice and brown bread. 6 REDUCE ALCOHOL AND QUIT SMOKING-- About 40,000 people die because of smoking.Use of alcohol & tobacco can decrease oxygen supply to the heart.So limit alcohol intake & quit smoking. 7 FAMILY HISTORY-- People with family history of heart disease and diabetes are more likely to be affected by the same. So get your regular check-up done. 8 A HEALTHY DIET -- Have balanced & healthy diet and do not forget to include lots of FRUITS AND VEGETABLES in your diet. 9 KNOW THE SIGNS-- Some of the symptoms of heart diseases are- shortness of breath, palpitation, rapid heart beat,nausea and sweating, a pressure or squeezing pain in the chest under the breast bone but sometimes in shoulders,arms,neck,back or upper abdomen. Dear readers just follow these steps as HEALTHY HEART ! HEALTHY YOU !