Page 20 - Seniorstoday December 2022 Issue
P. 20
Health
Habits bad
for the heart
Knowingly or unknowingly, we indulge in habits that could cause harm to
our hearts, writes Dr Nandini Saini
The heart is one of the most important saturated fats and Trans fats- reduces HDL
organs in the human body, beating levels. Trans fats, those found I processed
continuously, and pumping blood around foods, cannot get digested by the body.
the body. We should be taking care that Alcohol
it’s maintained at its healthiest. Yet, A little alcohol may be good for you; large
knowingly or unknowingly, we indulge in quantities can be harmful. Excessive
habits that could cause harm. alcohol can give rise to hyper lipedema and
Stress hypertension. It can also cause obesity,
Stress is a part of our lives, but some of us which puts your heart at risk
get affected more than others. Stress causes Inadequate sleep
inflammation in the body, which can result Sleep impacts the functioning of the heart.
in complications such as hypertension Research has linked inadequate sleep with
and low HDL levels .Besides, a stressed hypertension. Our blood pressure tends to
out body releases cortisol, a hormone reduce when we sleep; also, our muscles
causing hypertension, hyperlipidemia and and body tissues repair themselves.
diabetes. Insomnia tends to cause hypertension,
Stress also has a toll on the lifestyle - making the heart pump harder.
people become withdrawn, stop eating or Too much salt
binge eat, stop exercises. All of these can Salt, though an important and integral
contribute to heart disease. part of our diet should be consumed with
Poor diet caution. An increased salt intake causes
Diet is an important part of keeping hypertension, with a risk of strokes, or a
the heart healthy. A poor diet- high in myocardial infarct.
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