Monday, December 29, 2008

Living with Heart Disease

Living a healthy life is very important as health is vital for a long and prosperous life. Healthy life means a life free of all tensions and diseases. On the other hand in this day and age, a life completely free of diseases and tensions is not possible. However, it is possible to live a healthy and content life even while going through the perils of life.

Heart disease is a very dangerous and life-threatening situation. If this condition is not controlled or looked after, it can result in death too. However, it is also possible to live a healthy life with heart disease. With proper medication, counseling and an improved life style, millions of heart patients are enjoying a healthy life with their families.

Tips on Living with Heart Disease
Living with heart disease requires some changes in your lifestyle. You cannot live as before as it led to unhealthy consequences. You need to bring changes in your lifestyle that would help to strengthen your weak heart. Here are some tips on living with heart disease

Eating the Right Foods
Eating the right foods is very important for living with heart disease. Only eat what your doctor has recommended for you. Avoid eating high cholesterol, fatty and sugary foods. They can add to the problem.

Diet is very helpful in improving heart’s condition so it should be properly monitored and only healthy meals should be eaten.

Exercise
Exercise should only be done when your doctor permits. The heart becomes weak and it may not bear strenuous exercise. It could also result in some other severe problems for the patient.

After the patient is stable, the doctor may advice some light exercise that may help to strengthen the heart. In most of the cases, walk is the best exercise for heart patients.

Control Exerting Activities
Heart patients should control their physical activities and avoid any strenuous jobs as it may put too much load on the cardiac muscles. It will lead to exertion and the heart will not be able to pump blood as efficiently; causing further problems.

Heart disease means that the patient needs to be extra careful and take care of himself. With a weak heart, the patient might not be able to perform functions as before. It is important to take things easy unless your doctor says otherwise.

Maintain a Balanced Weight
Maintaining a balanced weight is very important as obesity and overweight increase risk of heart disease and attack. Obesity and overweight are accompanied by other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Intake of calories and fats should be controlled to maintain a normal weight. They can be balanced with light exercise too. The intake of calories should be balanced with their expenditure to avoid weight gain and other complications.

In case you are overweight, losing only 10% of your weight can help you lower the risk of heart disease.

Some other tips on living with Heart Disease
Stop smoking as it is a major risk factor for heart disease
Stress is a big risk factors for heart disease and stroke, thus it should be avoided
Avoid going out in too much heat or humidity as it can lead to dehydration and weakness
Take some time for yourself to relax; meditation is very good for heart patients
Get adequate sleep and rest; heart patients need more rest than people who are not suffering from heart conditions
Remain physically active as it can help you recover quickly but do not take up any exhausting activity
Choose low fat and low calorie foods that are easy to digest
Medication is also very important and should be regularly taken on doctors advice
Living with heart disease is different and difficult too. It cannot be the same as before because of the fact that one has lived through a life-taking condition. Thus, great care should be taken to live a health life and ensure that the condition does not aggravate.

Source : http://www.always-health.com/heartdisease_problems.html


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