It takes so little to keep your heart in good shape. Do you know how to take care of your heart to keep it he althy? Only Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind could speak - I'll think about it tomorrow. Think about your heart today and start caring for it.

We advisehow to take care of your heartto keep it he althy. Systematic training is good for the heart as it doubles the network of blood vessels in the body and also enlarges their cross-section so that more oxygen-rich blood can reach the heart. Regular exercise can not only strengthen your heart, but also lower the levels of bad cholesterol and sugar in your blood, and lower your blood pressure. Check what else you can do to havea he althy heart .

How to take care of your heart: stop s alting

How to take care of your heart? First of all, eat well. S alt has a negative effect on metabolic processes, which may contribute to the development of hypertension. And hypertension adversely affects the entire circulatory system - including the heart.

If life without s alt seems impossible, limit your consumption to 5-6 g per day (this is how much you can fit in a flat teaspoon). S alt can be replaced with herbs. This little step will give you a he althy heart.

How to take care of your heart: check what you lubricate

On our market there are margarines containing stanols and plant sterols - natural substances that inhibit the absorption of some dietary cholesterol, thus lowering the concentration of cholesterol in the blood serum. They are good for the heart. People at risk of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease should eat them. It's worth a try, because consuming 2 g of plant sterols or stanols a day lowers LDL cholesterol by an average of 10%.

How to take care of your heart: give yourself energy

Coenzyme Q10 produced by the body is an excellent support for the heart. We need this substance to convert nutrients into energy necessary for the proper functioning of cells.

Coenzyme Q10 also protects against cancer and prevents heart disease. Especially when it works in combination with selenium. This was proved by Swedish scientists from Karolinska University, who studied people aged 70-88. In the group receiving the combination of coenzyme Q10 and selenium for 4 years, prepared by Pharma Nord, there were 50 percent. fewer deaths than in the groupchecklist. As the body produces less and less coenzyme Q10 with age, it is worth supplementing it with an appropriate diet (in nature it can be found in nuts and oils) or using preparations in a dose agreed with your doctor. This is a good way to strengthen your heart.

How to take care of your heart: remember about minerals

Magnesium (plums, walnuts) stimulates the heart muscle to contract, provides the heart with energy necessary for efficient work. It is worth knowing that cola drinks and excess coffee flush magnesium out of the body. On the other hand, potassium (potatoes, melons, avocados, peaches, beets, beans) lowers blood pressure.

We already know a lot about the importance of these two minerals. Many people take them to keep their hearts he althy. But selenium is also important for the heart (Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, including poultry, oats, brown rice). When taken with vitamins E and C, it acts as an antioxidant. It blocks free radicals, i.e. very dangerous molecules that damage our DNA, which may lead to the development of cancer. The element is extremely important for the heart because it reduces the ability of platelets to aggregate, i.e. stick together. Thanks to this, it reduces the risk of blood clots, and therefore also of a heart attack or stroke. By strengthening the immunity, which we also owe to selenium, the body fights viral infections more easily, which indirectly strengthens the heart.

How to take care of your heart: gulp ASA

The greatest value of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for the heart is that it reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis. This is because ASA inhibits the tendency of platelets to stick together and thus form clots that obstruct blood flow through the vessels. ASA is used not only to treat but also to prevent heart attacks, ischemic strokes and thromboembolic diseases. To feel safe, ask your doctor how much ASA to take to keep your heart he althy.

How to take care of your heart: protect yourself from infections

Inflammation of the walls of the coronary arteries can be caused by bacteria responsible for e.g. influenza, angina, bronchitis. It's dangerous to the heart. Therefore, do not underestimate any infections. If you suffer from chronic diseases, take your medication regularly and keep in touch with your doctor. Remember that poorly treated diabetes increases the risk of coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease and heart attack twice. Going for checkups and following your doctor's recommendations is a little bit of trouble for a he althy heart.

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Category:

Cardiology