How to protect your heart from diseases

Avoid overweight: It is easier for a person who is overweight to get heart disease. Constantly check your mass and Body Mass Index (BMI) to know when you need to adjust. Body mass index helps to measure how obese you are. If your body mass index is above 30, it means you are obese and at a higher risk for heart diseases.

BMI is calculated by dividing your mass in Kilogram by the square of your height in meters. i.e BMI = mass (kg) / height2 (meters).

Limit your alcohol intake: Taking in too many alcoholic drinks can impair your liver. Once a vital organ is damaged, the others will also function improperly and one of them is your heart. It is advised that females can consume at most one bottle of alcohol in a

day and men, two bottles at most.

Avoid smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart conditions. Inhaling impure gases reduces the amount of oxygen the heart receives. Prolonged deprivation of the heart tissues of oxygen can cause necrosis and subsequently, heart attack.

Eat healthy foods: Eat healthy, balanced meals. Opt for a diet rich in fiber and whole grains while cutting down on salt, fat, sugar, and cholesterol intake.

How do you know if you have heart disease? The symptoms below should prompt you to act fast:

Irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Inability to endure exercise
Nausea
Sweating
Indigestion
Chest pain

It is important to visit the hospital (like the Korle-Bu Cardiothoracic center) when you experience these symptoms because they might symptoms of serious heart disease.

There are myriads of diseases that can affect the heart. We will list a few.

Coronary artery disease – partial blockage of the arteries that directly supply the blood with oxygen by cholesterol
Myocardial infarction(heart attack) – complete blockage of the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart
Angina – squeezing chest pain. It feels like a heavy object has been placed on your chest.

Take care of your heart and stay safe.

Prince Afram.

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