I keep getting news about cousins, relatives, and people dearly and distantly known to me who have died of cardiac arrest or multi-organ failures. All in two years, the number of these cases has risen. To add, the aforementioned people are in the 30-50 age group. During the peak of Covid, these deaths were more. This has reached a plateau in between but death tolls will tell you how people are falling prey to post Covid complications or developing comorbidities linked to the heart. 

People have also become equally health conscious about their diet and lifestyle. Despite that, people are losing lives to heart diseases every year. Our entertainment industry has suffered losses – so many celebrities and artists have passed away this year to heart diseases despite their exemplary fitness levels. 

Truly, heart diseases are silent killers that don’t announce their entry either. So, it is important to focus on improving fitness levels, and stamina and most importantly getting regular health check-ups. The 30+ age category is more vulnerable thanks to fast lifestyle, sedentary jobs, and bad food habits. 

The Internet is viral with several tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle and heart. Medical professionals across the globe are constantly speaking about the significance of maintaining a healthy heart, increasing physical activities, and also looking after mental wellness. A lot of meditation groups are being formed and group meditations are helping stressed individuals. Work from home jobs has increased stress levels for many – a matter of worry for families. Holistic healing practices and alternative medicines are slowly taking precedence during these tough times.

The UN’s WHO has come up with a stress management guide for coping with adversity called “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide.” It is available on the WHO website where people can download the guide in their respective country’s language. There are audio files for exercises ranging from Grounding, building awareness, being kind to oneself, and more. It is interesting to see how the whole world has united in one common effort to boost their citizens’ mental and emotional health. Almost every country has some kind of program designed for their people. There is a surge in yoga and meditation centers in every city. June 21st was observed as World Yoga Day across the globe.

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body after the brain. And Did you know?

1. Your heart is roughly the size of a large fist.
2. It weighs between 9 and 12 ounces. (250 and 350 grams)
3. The heart beats about 100,000 times per day (nearly three billion beats in a lifetime!). An adult’s heart beats nearly 60-80 times/minute. A newborn’s heart beats faster than an adult heart – 70-190 beats/minute.
4. The heart pumps about 5.7 liters of blood daily.
5. The heart can produce energy to drive a truck for nearly 20 miles – equivalent to driving to the moon and back!
6. The heart has its electrical impulse. It can beat even if it is separated from the human body – as long as it gets a good supply of oxygen.

Here are the top 10 Reasons Why the Heart should be happy

1. Keeps cholesterol and blood pressure in check
An unhealthy heart can increase the chances of getting a heart attack and stroke.

2. Maintains healthy blood in the body
The heart pumps nearly 5 liters of blood daily. The circulatory system in the body is responsible for sending oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. It takes away unwanted carbon dioxide and waste products too.

3. Prevents stress and depression 
Clinical psychologists say there is a link between heart and mental issues. Most heart attack patients undergo depression. So, it is extremely vital to keep the heart-healthy. 

4. Lowers the risk of dementia
There is a link between a healthy heart and the brain. Research shows that an unhealthy heart can lead to narrower blood vessels which can mean restricted blood flow to the brain. Lesser blood reaching the brain can result in memory loss, reduced decision-making capacity, and other mental disorders. 

5. Maintains hormones
The heart is linked to the nervous system and the endocrine system as well. While the former sends signals to the heart to control the heart rate, the latter secretes hormones that maintain blood pressure. The thyroid gland helps control the beating heart too.

6. Gets the music going on in the body
A perfectly beating heart ensures harmony and music between all the organs of the body in a rhythm – pumping blood to maintain healthy hormones and all other functions of the body. This is another reason why they say listening to music daily helps cause a healthy heart.

7. Well-nourished body
A perfect recipe to maintain a healthy heart is eating nutritious food like whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. Breakfast is considered the best key to a healthy heart. Being the first meal of the day, it decides the rest of your day.

8. Maintains happy hormones
They say to have a happy heart, one must engage in physical activities that may include weight lifting and regular strength training, jogging, running, walking, cycling, swimming and so many more. But all this must be done after evaluating your fitness levels with your fitness consultant.

9. A stress-free heart is a healthy heart
Go on a digital detox and discover how your heart beats. Zero stress levels mean a healthy hormonal secretion.

10. Regular health check-ups
As soon as one hits the 30s, doctors recommend annual tests for your body. So, don’t miss any of the tests. It will go a long way in keeping in check heart malfunctions or disorders.

So, what are you waiting for?
Run while you can and save your heart!
Keep smiling!

Follow Priya Rajendran