Dr. Anosh Ahmed is a philanthropist and entrepreneur; he focuses on making people aware of their heart health and why it is so important to focus on it.
A healthy heart is central to overall good health. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can prevent heart disease and lower your heart attack or stroke risk. You are never too old or too young to begin taking care of your heart. True, the younger you start making healthy choices, the longer you can reap the benefits. But swapping good habits for bad ones to promote good health can make a difference, even if you’ve already suffered a heart attack.
Choosing healthier foods and exercising are two of the best ways to contribute to good heart health. You can do several different things to lower your heart disease risk. Things that put you at higher risk for heart disease include:
Smoking.
High blood pressure.
Obesity/being overweight.
High cholesterol levels.
Inactivity (no exercise).
The good news is that it is possible to decrease your risk by changing how you live your life. Even if you have a family history of heart disease, the power of prevention is on your side.
Path to improved health
You are directly controlling many things that can influence your heart health, says Dr. Anosh Ahmed. It’s up to you to choose how seriously you take this responsibility. Some people find it easy to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Others will do so only after being diagnosed with a symptom of heart disease, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Whatever your inspiration, know that the benefits of a healthy heart are worth the effort. Your entire body will be better for it. Good overall health can also protect you from type 2 diabetes, asthma, joint pain, and other chronic diseases. It can even reduce your risk for cancer. A healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods and regular exercise have been proven to boost your mood. You’ll have more energy and less stress.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, try to add just one beneficial aspect to your life for now. As you feel that you are gaining control, try adding another, then another. Pretty soon, you’ll feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.
Make healthy food choices.
Balance is the key to eating healthy for the long haul. Your diet should consist mainly of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins. If you eat this way most of the time, you’ll be able to indulge occasionally.
Allowing yourself to eat something you crave from time to time is essential. So do not feel guilty about treating yourself as a reward for eating healthy. Just make sure that you aren’t treating yourself too often.
Depending on your age, you should receive regular screenings from your doctor for blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These are two indicators of heart disease. If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan that includes a healthy lifestyle. It also will likely include prescription medications to help control cholesterol or high blood pressure.
