With the advent of Valentine’s Day on this Sunday, millions of people are planning to give special gifts to their beloved. People sent flowers, red hearts, anonymous cards and offer a candle-lit dinner to surprise their valentines. On this Valentine’s day, you can make an exception by giving the greatest gift — a healthy heart that lasts forever. With little changes in your lifestyle that keep your heart healthy you can offer the big gift.
Research has shown that the leading cause of heart disease is related to behavioural choices such as eating habits, exercise, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and stress.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for the prevention of coronary heart diseases. Physical exercise even walking is good for heart. Blood pressure should be checked at regular interval and focus on lowering pressure by decreasing salt and low calorie diet. Alcohol, tobacco products and secondary exposure to tobacco smoke are important driving force behind heart diseases. We should make pledge to avoid it on this very occasion.
Following a heart healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole-grains are equally important. Consume fish, especially oily fish, at least twice a week. Limit your intake of saturated fat and minimise your intake of beverages and foods with added sugars.
On this Valentine’s Day, you can make the outstanding decision to change your lifestyle to give your beloved one, a healthy heart that creates love for life time.
Dr Md Rajib Hossain
Source: The Daily Star, February 13, 2010
Holistic approach for palliative care
Leave a Reply