According to the British Heart Foundation, heart conditions cause more than 400 deaths each day, with one person dying every three minutes..
The staggering numbers apply to both men and women, and to different races. Aside from getting a private echo scan to check your heart health, physicians also note the importance of introducing a heart-healthy diet.
Read on to learn how to eat your way to a healthier heart, and where to get a heart scan if you need one.
Why Is Heart Health Important?
If your heart is in danger, your whole life is at risk. In essence, the heart is crucial for the overall health of your body and supplies the body with nutrient-packed blood. It also removes toxins from the body and makes sure it has enough oxygen.
Keeping your heart healthy is of the utmost importance and can be done with a medical scan and by maintaining a healthy and heart-friendly diet. Since most heart diseases are preventable, it is basically up to each of us to provide our hearts with the best “working conditions.”
Top Foods for a Healthy Heart
When it comes to the heart’s vitality, there are particular foods that can help manage high cholesterol levels and inflammation, reduce blood pressure, and balance triglycerides. All these factors can often put heart health at risk, but these foods help keep them in check.
- Fatty acids and fish. Fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel, are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids that deliver outstanding health benefits, especially for the heart. Consuming fish rich in fatty acids can help prevent developing heart conditions and downgrade the risks of arrhythmias. A fish-rich diet benefits the body by lowering cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides, as well as balancing blood sugar levels and systolic blood pressure.
- Leafy greens. Spinach, kale, and collard greens are all vegetables loaded with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Leafy greens are abundant in vitamin K, a superb artery protector that helps eliminate blood clotting. Leafy greens are also packed with dietary nitrates, which have been widely researched for their blood pressure-reducing properties. They promote arterial flexibility and improve blood conductibility within blood vessels.
- Nuts. Almonds and walnuts are among the most heart-friendly nuts loaded with monounsaturated fats and fibre, which are perfect for fighting and preventing heart diseases. Magnesium, copper, and manganeses are some of the micronutrients in walnuts that help lower LDL (bad) and total cholesterol levels. A handful of nuts a day can yield enormous benefits for the heart.
- Berries. Blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all loaded with precious nutrients essential for heart health. Because berries are abundant in antioxidants, like anthocyanins, they are vital in lowering oxidative stress and inflammation that lead to numerous heart illnesses. Incorporating berry smoothies, juices, or berry salads into your diet can go a long way in shielding the heart from toxins and developing diseases.
A Private Echo Scan to Take Care of Your Heart Health
Food aside, a private echo scan of your heart can further give you an insight into your cardiovascular health. As the leading UK provider of private diagnostic scans and services, we at Vista Health are dedicated to your health.
Our professionals offer a line of services, including echo scans for your heart, MRI scans, DEXA scans, and more. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today!