American Heart Month: How Does Diet Affect Our Cardiovascular System?
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the leading cause of death globally is heart disease. According to them, cardiovascular diseases are the cause of death of 31% of the world’s population or 17.9 million people.
The need for integrative nutrition has become a popular topic. People have been talking about different kinds of lifestyle changes and healthy diets that help to lose weight and prevent the worsening of heart disease.
Diet is an integral part in maintaining cardiovascular health. Eating fatty foods, living an unhealthy lifestyle, and lack of exercise contribute to cardiovascular diseases. When fat builds up in the artery walls, the heart will have to exert more effort in pumping blood. Eventually, this can lead to high blood pressure, and clogged arteries can cause a stroke.
What is American Heart Month? Why is it important?
The American Heart Month is a nationwide event sanctioned by the American government via Presidential proclamation. The first celebration of the American Heart Month started way back February 1964 when then-President Lyndon B. Johnson issued Proclamation 3566, designating February as American Health Month. The aim of this is to make the public aware of heart disease and draw attention to solutions that can help people combat health issues.
The awareness of heart diseases raises the topic of using integrative nutrition to combat it. Awareness creates an avenue for learning and discovering the science behind cardiovascular diseases and their prevention.
One form of integrative medicine that Cincinnati health experts advocate is a proper diet and healthy overall lifestyle as a prevention of heart disease. Integrative medicine focuses on the holistic health of the person, which starts from eating habits, lifestyle, and outlook in life.
What are some lifestyle factors that affect our cardiovascular system?
Different risk factors affect cardiovascular health. You might be surprised that even the most physically fit person you know can suffer from heart disease. Below are some of the common lifestyle and risk factors that affect cardiovascular health:
Harmful Substances. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages frequently are risk factors that affect cardiovascular health. As most people know, smoking and drinking are activities that with constant use can cause detrimental effects.
Genetics. Whether you’re the fittest person you know, you could be predisposed to heart disease if it runs in the family. However, if you make healthy choices and are proactive in areas besides just fitness, you’re more likely to avoid heart health issues. The saying, Genetics load the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger, applies here.
Age. As people age, the body weakens, therefore it is usual for older people to have hypertension. However, being diagnosed with hypertension or high cholesterol at a young age is alarming yet increasingly common.
You can delay or lessen the likelihood of any complications if you practice a healthy lifestyle through integrative nutrition.
Existing health issues. If you have other diseases like diabetes or high cholesterol, the risk of having heart disease amplifies. But the aged usually have multiple complications, and it is normal.
Physical inactivity. Nutrition and healing of the body start when you take full control of it. Reducing your daily calorie intake needs to be supported by daily exercise. If you want to lose weight, start with a proper exercise in addition to a good diet.
Diet. Eating plant-based food can help achieve optimal health. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are antioxidant-rich and nutrient-dense foods you should incorporate into your everyday life. Prioritizing whole foods over processed foods is important as well. Limiting saturated fat and cholesterol is also important when trying to avoid cardiovascular issues.
You can always consult a nutritionist in Cincinnati to give you some ideas on how to incorporate a more plant-focused diet.
Does exercise play an important role in heart health?
Exercise helps with weight control. When you exercise, the body burns fat to generate energy. That’s the reason why exercise is an important activity for losing weight.
Shifting into an active lifestyle can also improve heart health. For example, you may take the stairs instead of the elevator. Or instead of riding in a cab, you may take a walk. Bicycling, swimming, yoga, and kayaking are other gentle ways to incorporate physical activity alternative to lifting weights in the gym.
Taking action towards healthy lifestyles isn’t limited to our own experiences. People who live in impoverished countries, or who have experienced a natural disaster, are more likely to have a lack of healthy food choices which can expose them to a wide range of diseases, and heart disease is no exception. Choosing to support food charities that help less fortunate people lead healthier lives is a powerful way to positively affect the rest of the world beyond ourselves.
As the saying goes, “health is wealth.” It is difficult for health to improve unless we take action. In the end, it is our responsibility to stand up for our health in order to lead long, healthy lives with our families.