Heart problem is becoming very common day by day. Doctors say by simple modification in diet and exercise, we can keep our heart fit. A healthy heart is necessary for strong body, mind and spirit. Usually the causes of our heart diseases are smoking, irregular diet, junk food, lack of exercise, Stress and obesity. These habits can be easily associated with the heart diseases. They lead us to high blood pressure, diabetes and hypertension. Which are the main causes of heart disease and strokes? This unhealthy life style is becoming very much common and even found in children now days.
In India according to a survey 25% men and 36% women above the age of 20 are overweight. Current projections suggest that India will have largest number of cardiac patient by 2020. There are estimate of 45 million patients already affected by this disease in India, and are going to count for one third of deaths in 2020. Researchers have concluded the heart diseases start from childhood, in the form of weight gain. Due weight gain the size of heart becomes more in them. They become three to five times more likely to suffer from heart attack before reaching the age of 65.
In obese people there are high amount of body fat ratio as compared to lean people. Obesity is major health risk. Obese body’s heart has to work harder to pump blood in whole body. But it is now found that obesity alone is not responsible for heart diseases. The risk associated with fat is now calculated by, how much of it is in body and where it concentrated. The size of waist is major parameter in this case. If tendency to gain weight is only in waist, then it is known as apple shape. If the fats are collected in waist area i.e. visceral fats are more harmful for the body. Therefore apple shape poses to increased risk of heart disease. Doctors say that visceral fat has three fold more detrimental effect. It causes the lipid abnormalities and realizes some toxins which are the responsible for diabetic and heart diseases. Due to increase in visceral fat, there is more pressure over abdominal organ like kidney. Which result in the increase hypertension?
Doctors say prevention is more important then cure. Therefore we should start changing our life style. Do regular exercise and take healthy food. In food we should eat lot of fruit and vegetables, variety of grains, eat more fish, beans and pulses. Make sure have at least three meals per day. Drink at least six eight glasses of water every day. Avoid beverages like tea, soft drinks and alcohol. Avoid adding extra fat or deep frying, instead us steamed, boiled, grilled or baked food. Restrict sugar and salt intake. By doing all these things we can reduce heart risks considerably.