With age, the risk of heart disease also increases. But it is not only age that plays a decisive role here. Nutrition and general lifestyle are also important for a healthy human heart. But what exactly is good for our heart and how does it become a healthy heart? In this article we answer these and other questions.
What is healthy for the heart?
You can do good things for your healthy heart with very simple means. And not just since today, but from an early age. Our heart already benefits from a little sport when we are children. If we grow up with sport and keep moving regularly, it also keeps our heart fit. That’s why it stands to reason that the heart of a competitive athlete is usually bigger than an average heart. The heart is a muscle and can be trained. Normally, the human heart is the size of a clenched fist. In competitive athletes, however, the heart is usually somewhat larger.
But you don’t have to be a competitive athlete to do something good for your heart. The two most important factors are exercise and a healthy nutrition. The earlier you start, the better it is for your body and especially for your heart. The later you start, the harder it is for the heart to regenerate. Nevertheless, the motto is: It is never too late! The heart can recover quickly and also rebuild itself. Nevertheless, you have to approach the matter with a lot of patience. Because everything does not get better overnight
Age also plays a very important role in the heart. When you are still very young and fit, a poor nutrition and little exercise are hardly noticeable. Only with age do you feel the consequences of a less good lifestyle. The older a person gets, the more attention he or she has to pay to his or her body and also to his or her heart. To avoid heart problems in old age, you have to strengthen your heart. Now you can find out the best way to do this.
What strengthens the heart?
As mentioned, the two most important factors for the heart are a healthy nutrition and some exercise. The sooner you start, the more the heart will benefit. But take a calm and relaxed approach to the whole thing. It takes a lot of patience to strengthen your heart. But now to the actual question: What is good for a healthy heart and how can I strengthen my heart?
Movement
The most common cause of death in Switzerland is coronary heart disease. And it has been proven that regular exercise of the body reduces the risk of the disease. But how much exercise is necessary and when is it too much? There is no general answer to this question. It always depends on the circumstances and these vary from person to person. The decisive factors are age, how fit you feel and any pre-existing conditions. Even the smallest things make a difference.
Nowadays we live in a very technologically advanced time and everything is made easier for us. We no longer have to use stairs and are transported by escalators. And the list goes on forever. But if you already do without the escalators and walk the stairs yourself, then you have already done a lot for your body. Besides, it is always good for the body to take a walk. It is also enough to enrol in small sports courses and attend them regularly. These do not always have to be intensive, but can also be more relaxed, such as yoga or similar.
Healthy nutrition
Besides sport and exercise, the right nutrition is also very important for the heart. A healthy and above all balanced nutrition can strengthen the heart. Fast food, snacks and overeating can not only harm the body, but also a heart. A poor nutrition often leads to high blood sugar or blood fat levels.
Many people may still know it from their school days, namely the food pyramid. This basically depicts everything important that you need to know. But if you would like more information or even nutritional advice, that is no problem. Your health insurance company usually offers special courses or personal nutrition counselling. Often, they will also draw up a special diet plan that is tailored to you.
What is bad for the heart?
Now you have learned what options you have to strengthen your heart. But it is also important to know which factors can damage the heart quickly and in the long term. These include the following things:
- Stress
- Overweight
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Age
- Pre-existing conditions
- Hereditary diseases
Many factors play a role when it comes to damaging the human heart. But there are many things you can change yourself. In the best case, you have never smoked and will not start. But if you have been or are a regular smoker, now is the time to quit. It is clear that you cannot simply stop from one day to the next. Even small successes are beneficial for the heart.
What diseases are there for the heart?
Now the question arises as to which diseases can be the consequence. Because many diseases are not known at first. Thus, many people take heart disease lightly and do not feel affected by it. But reality catches up with you sooner than you might think.
The most common heart diseases include the following:
- Coronary heart disease
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Heart attacks
- and much more.
Other articles:
- Anatomy of the heart: how does our heart really work?
- Heart attack: This is what happens in the body during a heart attack!
Sources and further links:
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