When we talk about February, we always think about love, but it is also the month of the heart, it is about educating people through a set of initiatives aimed at transmitting a message of awareness about the dangers of cardiovascular diseases, and about how we can reduce the risks of suffering from any of them.
It is important to know that heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the world, only in America they cause 1.6 million deaths a year. The 30% of deaths correspond to people aged 30 to 69 years.
The most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease are: a high cholesterol level, diabetes and hypertension, smoking, stress, obesity and finally, genetic inheritance. Unlike this last aspect, the other problems can be controlled through changes in habits, so do not overlook it.
At BMI we want you to keep your heart healthy, so we share some essential tips to improve your quality of life.
- Practice a heart-healthy diet. Fruits, vegetables, vegetables, fish, olive oil, lean meats, cereals and skimmed dairy cannot be missing from your diet.
- Dedicate 30 minutes a day to exercising your body. Choose the activity that best suits your physical condition: walking, dancing, running, etc.
- Measure your Body Mass Index (BMI) and monitor the fat accumulated in the abdomen, as it is dangerous for the heart. Measure your abdominal girth at the level of your belly button. In women it must be below 88 cm and in men below 102 cm.
- Check your blood pressure periodically, it should remain below 140/90 mmHg. If you are hypertensive you should also stay below these figures. If you have suffered from a cardiovascular or kidney problem or are diabetic, your blood pressure must be below 130/80 mmHg.
- Check your cholesterol and glucose levels. The best way to keep them at bay is to eat a healthy diet and exercise. If after a fasting analysis your figures are above 190 mg / dl of total cholesterol and 110 mg / dl of glucose, you should consult a specialist.
Last but not least, we want to remind you that it is necessary to go to the doctor to carry out a general physical examination, analyze your personal and family history, and design a plan to act on time and minimize the risks.
