LIVING WELL By Shankho Ganguli, MD
7 Tips to a Healthier Heart in 2021 1. Move more! Modern lifestyle and the ongoing pandemic have made it increasingly difficult for us to lead an active lifestyle. If you have a desk job, I recommend taking a 5–10 minute walking break every hour you work. This will not only make you more productive but also help you get 30– 60 minutes of walking in during the days.
2. Eat healthier by saying no to sodas. With all the temptations and advertisements around, it is a wonder anyone can keep those pounds off. Start by cutting down on all sodas, which are the largest source of empty calories in an average diet.
3. Aim for a healthy weight. This is usually a BMI between 18–25. The key to achieving this lies in the above two steps. Abdominal fat is a risk factor for heart disease, and the best way to stave that off is to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight and obese not only leads to heart disease but also other risk factors for heart disease such as diabetes and hypertension.
4. Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoking.
As the holiday season has come and gone, many often wonder how to get back on track. ”How do I get rid of the few pounds I put on over the holidays?” It is a question asked seemingly every year in the throes of winter. While weight loss can be very important for health, most are often guilty of asking too much too quickly from themselves. Focusing on one area, such as heart health, can lead to overall weight loss and better physical condition. As a physician who hears these concerns from family, friends, and patients regularly, I would like to share with you a few 12 tips that will make achieving your goal a bit easier.
This one is big! Numerous studies have shown that smoking leads to a multiple fold increase in heart disease, stroke, cancer, and many other chronic illnesses. Smoking can be very addictive, but according to research, the more times you try to quit, the higher your success rate will be. The adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again” truly applies in this case.
