THE HEART OF THE MATTER: MATTER OF THE HEART 2

Dear Friends,

Though the Valentine season has come and gone, I urge you to take good care of your heart – physically, psychologically and spiritually- because therein lies the issues of life. Dr. Anigbogu concludes his two-part guest series by offering ten tips for a healthy heart.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick. Who can understand it? – Jer 17:9.

*The heart is desperately sick – almost at the point of failing as a pump
*Deceitful – despite its failure, BP, HR and CO can be near normal (!)
*Who can understand it? – to avoid being fooled by the deceit, the physician must evaluate myocardial function, not just pump action.

TEN TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

Avoid smoking
Smoking reduces life expectancy by 15-25 years. If you are a smoker, you are twice more likely to have a heart attack than a non-smoker. The moment you stop smoking, the risk of heart attack begins to reduce.

Cut down on salt
Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Watch your diet
Try to have a balanced diet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, starch foods such as wholegrain bread and rice.

Monitor your alcohol
Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and also lead to weight gain. Avoid intake of alcohol or at least limit it to one to two units a day, gradually decreasing the consumption.

Get active
At least aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Keeping yourself fit, not only benefits the heart but also improves mental health and well-being.

Monitor your BP, blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Routine medical check-ups will ring an alarm, if you need medical help.

Manage your waist
Cholesterol deposition in blood vessels begins in the first decade of life. Carrying a lot of extra weight as fat can greatly affect your health. Make small but healthy changes in your diet.

Manage your stress level
If you find things are getting on top of you, you may fail to eat properly, smoke and drink too much. This may increase your risk of a heart attack. Practice yoga/meditation. Take a vacation.

Check your family history
If a close relative is at risk of developing coronary heart disease from smoking, high BP, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes, then you could be at risk too.

Laughter is the best therapy
Laughter any time will work wonders for you. It is an instant way to unleash the pressure and it makes you feel light.

SOME HEART CONDITIONS: Hypertension, Angina, Heart Block, Ischaemia, Myocardial
Infraction, Heart failure, Heart attack”
- Chikodi N. Anigbogu PhD, FIUPS.

Last Line: What shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? To find out more about God and how you can have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, visit any Bible believing church near you, or: CHAPEL OF DESTINY RESTORATION CHURCH, 2 Akinlabi Lane, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, by Round About Bus Stop, Ikeja. Lagos.