One love, one heart, one destiny - Bob Marley
Cardiovascular diseases(CVD) are the number one cause of death globally. An estimated 17.9 million lives each year. (2016 - World Health Organisation). Of these deaths, 85% are due to heart attack and stroke.
Most CVDs can be prevented by addressing the risk factors of tobacco, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of exercise and the harmful use of alcohol. In this short post I will concentrate on improving heart nutrition.
Often there are no symptoms. A heart attack may be the first warning of an underlying disease. Regular checkups at the doctor are recommended and their frequency will depend on your age and your risk factors. I am not a doctor and I am not playing a doctor on the internet. Consult your doctor on whether you need a checkup.
The attached mind-map gives an easy reference on nutritional good choices and bad choices. If you can reduce some of the bad choices and increase some of the good choices you will make a positive step to improving your Heart Health.
It is worth noting that many of the good choices and bad choices for Heart Health and the good choices and bad choices for Brain Health are the same. This is re-assuring in that any improvements you can can make in your nutrition will have a double effect.
Where to start? Take one action that you feel you are 90% confident to complete.
For Example: I’m going to use heart healthy oil like virgin olive oil at least once a week. When I use the olive oil I’m going to tap my chest and say “this is for you”
Print out the mind map and fix it somewhere prominently in the kitchen. Your heart will thank you for it.