It is accepted that cigarette smoking causes breathing problems and lung cancer. However did you know it also makes you more likely to have a heart attack?
Cigarette contains thousands of chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, etc. These chemicals in cigarettes make the cells that line blood vessels to swell and inflame. This can constrict the blood vessels and can lead to numerous cardiovascular conditions. Also, breathing other people’s smoke (second-hand smoke) is dangerous to smokers and non-smokers.
Smoking damages heart and blood vessels. But the good news is that when you stop smoking, your threat for heart complaint and stroke can be cut in half just one time and continues to decline until it’s as low as a non-smoker’s threat.
Tips for a healthier Heart
- Lose weight if overweight.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Have small frequent meals and avoid skipping meals.
- Increase eating fruits, vegetables and choose complex carbs like whole grains, oats, brown rice, etc. over refined products.
- Choose low-fat dairy products over high fat dairy products. E.g. low-fat yogurt, skimmed milk, etc.
- Eat heart-healthy fats like Omega-3. E.g., fish, walnuts, flax seeds, etc.
- Eat protein by eating fish, spare funk, legumes and nuts. Have boiled, or grilled.
- Exercise regularly for at least 30-45 mins.
- Quit smoking.
- Have low level of alcohol intake.
- Limit the salt input in your diet.
- Avoid fried, sticky and reused foods.
- Avoid impregnated fats like cream, adulation, adipose flesh, etc.
- Don’t stress. Try Yoga.
It’s time to take action and fight for your health.
