Use Heart for Heart Disease Prevention: How Collective Action Can Save Lives.

Use Heart for Heart Disease Prevention: How Collective Action Can Save Lives.

Heart diseases are becoming common these days. Most people suffer from one type of stress or the other. Mental stress is one of the most common reasons for heart disease. Taking care of the heart is important for the normal functioning of other body organs. The heart is the central organ that supplies blood to the other body parts including the brain. Any disturbance in the blood supply can cause a threat to life. Therefore, maintaining a healthy heart is important.

Ways to Prevent Heart Diseases

• Organise Community Events
  
  Community events can help to create awareness about the heart and its importance. Ask people to wear red on one day to make people aware of heart health. This can help start conversations with people about heart diseases. Collective action can help save lives by making people aware of heart health and by discussing tips to prevent heart disease.
• Learn CPR
  
  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a simple technique that can help save lives. Many people suffer a heart attack outside a hospital. You can save people if you come across someone suffering from a heart attack outside the hospital. You can also train other people in this technique so that everyone can help each other.
• Regular Screening
  
  Regular screening for the early diagnosis of heart disease is very important. You must visit a doctor once every six months for regular screening of risk factors such as high blood pressure (BP) and high cholesterol levels. Early detection of any abnormality can help to prevent chronic heart problems. You can also encourage your family members and friends to do the same at least twice a year.
• Cook Heart-Healthy Food
  
  You must ensure that you eat heart-healthy food at least once or twice a week. You should cook heart-healthy food at home and also call your family and friends to enjoy food with you. You can also organise a small meeting to teach your friends and family a few simple recipes that can keep your heart happy and healthy.
• Regularly Engage in Physical Activity
  
  It is an important step to prevent heart disease. You can go for a simple walk with family or friends in the morning or evening. You can also collaborate with a fitness centre in your area to organise a walk in your area and create awareness about the importance of exercise for preventing heart disease. If you are busy in the morning or evening, you can take some time to go for a walk after lunchtime.
• Use Social Media
  
  You can use social media to reach out to your friends living far apart to create awareness about heart health. You can also share the recipe for heart-healthy meals with them online. You can also share your pictures while taking part in creating awareness about heart health. This can motivate people to take care of their heart.

Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Heart Diseases

You can prevent heart disease by making lifestyle modifications. You can take the following steps to prevent heart disease and keep your heart healthy:

• Avoid Alcohol Drinking
  
  Alcohol drinking can affect your heart health badly. Therefore, avoid drinking alcohol to enhance the life of your heart and improve overall health. Alcohol not only affects your liver but also impairs the normal functioning of your overall body system.
• Stop Smoking
  
  Smoking is another contributing factor for developing heart diseases. Stop smoking at once if you want to keep your heart in a healthy condition. If anyone in your family smokes, you can encourage them to stop smoking. It may be difficult, but with family’s support, one can quit smoking.
• Maintain Ideal Body Weight
  
  Obesity is another risk factor for heart disease. If your body weight is more than required, you must take action to reduce your body weight. Eat fewer calories and incorporate physical activity to save your heart. Control calorie intake, eat a healthy diet, and remain physically active to maintain ideal body weight.
• Manage Stress
  
  Mental stress increases the risk of heart disease. Young people are at a greater risk as they have a lot of work pressure. The young generation thinks that smoking can reduce stress, but it contributes to making the condition worse. Therefore, you must find natural and healthy ways to manage stress. You can sit and talk with your family, exercise regularly, and practice yoga and meditation to manage stress effectively.
• Control Blood Sugar Levels
  
  Diabetic people are more prone to develop heart diseases. People suffering from high blood sugar levels should go for a regular screening. Control blood sugar by incorporating good eating habits, managing weight, and doing regular physical activity.
• Get Adequate Sleep
  
  Giving rest to the brain is important for getting ready for the next day’s work. Therefore, it is important to sleep for 7-8 hours daily at night for the optimum functioning of your heart. Avoid using electronic devices (including mobiles, laptops, earphones, etc.) at least two hours before going to sleep. Physical exertion helps to get a good night’s sleep. Meditation and yoga also improve sleep quality.

Conclusion

The heart is the most important organ that helps in the normal functioning of your entire body including the brain. Therefore, you must keep your heart healthy. Incorporating healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting good sleep can also help in maintaining a healthy heart. We must help each other in taking care of our hearts by sharing our stories and thoughts through community discussions.