What makes your heart tick?
January 10 2014
Your heart is the “heart” of your cardiovascular system, and it is responsible for just about everything that gives your body life, everything from the transportation of oxygen to the success of your immune system. According to medical experts, the foods you eat and the amount of activity you choose to take part in can dramatically affect the overall health of your heart.
Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is one area of heart health that needs to be regularly checked and regulated. High blood pressure can be affected by your overall weight, especially once you reach a body mass index score of 30 or higher, which is classified as obese. Excess fat increases the work your heart has to perform to pump blood throughout your body. The harder your heart works, the more pressure is placed on the walls of your arteries, which can increase your risk for blood vessel damage. Lowering your body weight by even as little as 5 to 10 percent can lower your blood pressure and increase your heart health.
Cholesterol Levels
Controlling your cholesterol is also an important part of heart health; it decreases your risks for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The two main kinds of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein — LDL or the “bad” cholesterol — and high-density lipoprotein — HDL or the “good” cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol is found in foods high in saturated fat, especially animal proteins. When consumed in high levels, LDL cholesterol can build up in the bloodstream and calcify into hard plaque. This plaque makes it difficult for blood to circulate through the affected arteries, increasing your risk for cardiovascular damage.
Circulation
Taking care of your heart also affects your circulation. Good circulation is needed to transport oxygen and nutrients to the many different cells in your body. Without proper circulation, tissues begin to die, which can result in amputations or even death, depending on what tissues are not getting enough oxygen. High blood pressure, cholesterol plaque and other heart diseases can all affect your body’s ability to transport blood efficiently throughout your body.
Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy
To keep your heart healthy, your body needs a good amount of exercise accompanied by a heart healthy diet. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. A heart healthy diet consists of the majority of your calories coming from vegetables, fruits and high-fiber foods like legumes and whole grains. These foods are accompanied in moderation by lean proteins, especially fish, as well as low-fat dairy products, nuts and seeds. MealEasy’s Heart Healthy meal plan has everything you need to keep your heart healthy.
