Learning to Love Your Heart
Some people may be surprised to learn that heart disease is actually the biggest single killer in the UK.
Yet most of use fear cancer more.
There is also a very prevalent myth in our Society that if you have a heart attack you will survive (but around a third do not), or if you contract heart disease there are all kinds of things that can be done, heart by-pass operations, stents fitted to your arteries etc.
But in fact cardiologists assert that these procedures do not actually 'solve' the problem, they treat the symptoms, so the best and in fact the only way to treat heart disease is not to contract it in the first place.
Small Steps To A Healthy Heart First of all looking after your heart doesn't require a dramatic or radical shift in lifestyle for most people, unless you eat really unhealthily, you drink too much and/or smoke.
If you eat very unhealthily and drink more than a couple of glasses of alcohol and you smoke then you will have to change your ways and stop.
But if you find it impossible just to stop, then reduce the amount of alcohol you take and cigarettes that you smoke, then quit altogether.
Remember that taking too much alcohol makes the heart bigger, so it is best taken in small doses and red wine is preferable to white wine or spirits.
Oily Fish: Omega Oils One really easy way to be good to your heart is to let it have some oily fish, which is full of omega oils, at least 2 or 3 times a week.
Oily fish includes trout, salmon, mackerel and fresh tuna (but not tinned tuna).
The omega oils help your heart and can protect it, so it is really important to eat oily fish.
Fruit and Vegetables Fruit and vegetables are also vital and need to eat at least 5 different portions of fruit or vegetables every day.
Fruit juice counts as one portion and beans or lentils are also a serving, so it can be easily done.
Admittedly, it can take a little time to adjust to this, but persevere and your heart will thank you in return.
Exercise Exercise can make a really big difference to your heart, but if you are not used to physical exercise, then take it easy to start with.
Try and increase your level of physical activity every day.
So if you don't walk, just try to walk a little; 10 minutes the first day, then 20 minutes, then 30 minutes and so on.
Gradually increase the speed at which you walk as well: but don't overdo it! Meats Red meat such as beef or lamb can still be eaten, but not every day and it should not be the basis of your diet.
You should also cut down on the amount of fats that you eat from not just red meat, but also dairy produce, cakes, and so on.
But Most Of All: Enjoy Life Finally, remember to enjoy life! Try not to stress out, enjoy simple pleasures, the joy of laughter, the beauty of a sunset and so on.
Treat yourself to the occasional 'diet sin' and don't just concentrate on denying yourself or going without.
All you are doing is loving your heart and giving it the chance to love you back!
Yet most of use fear cancer more.
There is also a very prevalent myth in our Society that if you have a heart attack you will survive (but around a third do not), or if you contract heart disease there are all kinds of things that can be done, heart by-pass operations, stents fitted to your arteries etc.
But in fact cardiologists assert that these procedures do not actually 'solve' the problem, they treat the symptoms, so the best and in fact the only way to treat heart disease is not to contract it in the first place.
Small Steps To A Healthy Heart First of all looking after your heart doesn't require a dramatic or radical shift in lifestyle for most people, unless you eat really unhealthily, you drink too much and/or smoke.
If you eat very unhealthily and drink more than a couple of glasses of alcohol and you smoke then you will have to change your ways and stop.
But if you find it impossible just to stop, then reduce the amount of alcohol you take and cigarettes that you smoke, then quit altogether.
Remember that taking too much alcohol makes the heart bigger, so it is best taken in small doses and red wine is preferable to white wine or spirits.
Oily Fish: Omega Oils One really easy way to be good to your heart is to let it have some oily fish, which is full of omega oils, at least 2 or 3 times a week.
Oily fish includes trout, salmon, mackerel and fresh tuna (but not tinned tuna).
The omega oils help your heart and can protect it, so it is really important to eat oily fish.
Fruit and Vegetables Fruit and vegetables are also vital and need to eat at least 5 different portions of fruit or vegetables every day.
Fruit juice counts as one portion and beans or lentils are also a serving, so it can be easily done.
Admittedly, it can take a little time to adjust to this, but persevere and your heart will thank you in return.
Exercise Exercise can make a really big difference to your heart, but if you are not used to physical exercise, then take it easy to start with.
Try and increase your level of physical activity every day.
So if you don't walk, just try to walk a little; 10 minutes the first day, then 20 minutes, then 30 minutes and so on.
Gradually increase the speed at which you walk as well: but don't overdo it! Meats Red meat such as beef or lamb can still be eaten, but not every day and it should not be the basis of your diet.
You should also cut down on the amount of fats that you eat from not just red meat, but also dairy produce, cakes, and so on.
But Most Of All: Enjoy Life Finally, remember to enjoy life! Try not to stress out, enjoy simple pleasures, the joy of laughter, the beauty of a sunset and so on.
Treat yourself to the occasional 'diet sin' and don't just concentrate on denying yourself or going without.
All you are doing is loving your heart and giving it the chance to love you back!