World Heart Day

World heart day is observed on 29^th September every year for raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. This year the theme was “MY HEART, YOUR HEART”.  

Large community-based studies in India show that heart disease has replaced communicable diseases in urban areas and even rural areas are not far behind with this trend. There is an increase in deaths due to cardiac diseases and yet we have been too ignorant to implement proper dietary practices. Let’s learn more about how to control this challenge at hand.

Understanding heart health:

Ø  The term “atherosclerosis” is derived from the Greek word “arthero” meaning “porridge like referring to the soft lipid rich material in the center of atheroma” and “sclerosis” (scarring) “referring to the connective tissue in the plaques”

Ø  Heart disease in most of the cases have to do a lot with the food we eat. Maintaining the right diet can fix half of the problem.

Ø  A diet low in saturated fats is advisable for a healthy heart. However, recent research also suggests that one has to keep a diet low in refined carbohydrates, sugars and processed foods.

Ø  While buying packaged foods, look at the label for terms like “trans fats” and “partially hydrogenated fatty acids “as ingredients.

Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the risk of arrhythmia or abnormal heart beats that could result in sudden death. Omega 3 also decrease triglycerides levels, which helps in reducing the blood pressure