You reap what you sow – this remains true for us in all ways. We all suffer with many ailments in our life, which owe their roots to our unhealthy life style starting in our teens only. Coronary artery diseases usually manifest at our 50s and 60s or later- most of the time this is due to the years of negligence towards heart health.
To have a healthy heart in 50s, you should start putting efforts as early as in teens.
Coronary artery disease is a result of numerous risk factors present for several years and decades. These risk factors include diabetes, hypertension, history of smoking, obesity, lack of physical exercise, environmental pollution, stress, increasing age and family of heart diseases. While most of these factors are preventable, years of exposure to these risk factors lead to gradual build up of cholesterol plaques in the coronary artery.
The severity can get to a level where chest pain starts initially during exertion and sub sequentially at rest. In some cases plaque may burst and the artery may get blocked suddenly due to development of clot on the denuded plaque leading to heart attack. That’s precisely why you need to monitor your few lifestyle habits in early teens and the training should start as early as childhood.
Obesity is a leading cause and triggerer of such deadly problems. Considering today’s life style and eating habits, no one is left who may not fall a prey to this trap. Taste buds always prefer tasty, oily, greasy and junk food. Sluggish lifestyle, constant working times, with little or no time for workouts, we are left with no options but to gracefully accept such diseases. Today’s young generation prefer to binge upon multi cuisine restaurants without knowing the reality of their cooking standards. This leads to obesity and further to many heart ailments.
Ditch the junk right away and switch to exercise mode. Regular physical exercise and eating healthy takes care of several cardiac risk factors like dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity of aerobic exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic exercise. Preferably the exercise program should be evenly spread out. Vigorous muscle strengthening should be there. We at one of the best CBSE Schools in Noida follow the same rule where children are taught benefits of living and staying healthy from early years. Morning Assemblies are planned in such a way that children do exercise, breathe fresh air and get started for the new day with a fresh zeal. Games and sports are a part of integral curriculum to benefit the students and to remain healthy. Different sports competitions and carnivals are held to promote healthy way to stay fit. Inspiring lectures are organized by renowned dieticians to make students aware about the benefits of healthy life style and how to stay fit and healthy.
Eating healthy involves right proportion of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins and minerals. A healthy eating plan emphasizes on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free or low fat milk and milk products. It includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Healthy food is low on saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars.
Research shows that eating a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce your risk of another heart attack. A Mediterranean diet typically means one that is rich in fruit and vegetables, oily fish, such as sardines, and wholegrain cereals, with modest amounts of meat and low-fat dairy. One of the better-known aspects is the use of monounsaturated fats such as olive oil instead of saturated fats such as butter. Swap saturated fats like butter, lard and ghee for unsaturated fats like rapeseed, olive and sunflower oils and spreads. Remove visible fat and skin from meat and poultry, and use low-fat milk and dairy products.
This is no snake oil. Whatever your age, there’s strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and happier life.
People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.
Pull on the socks, kick the butt, exercise regularly, eat healthy, include more of green veggies in your diet, sleep regularly, remain hydrated, workout regularly, have healthy habits and possess a healthy heart throughout your life.
At ASPAM, one of the Top Schools in Noida, we nurture future citizens of our country and teach them healthy way to life with a balance of right diet, yoga and plenty of exercises, so as to build a Fit India, Hit India.